Uganda’s women boxers made their mark at the 2026 Africa Elite Women and Men’s Boxing Championships in Nairobi, with Vanessa Nagawa joining Samuel Nsubuga and Mulungi Kassim in the finals as the Bombers strengthened their medal hopes.

Nagawa booked her place in the women’s featherweight final (54–57kg) with a commanding 5–0 victory over Algeria’s Douaa Rouaz, ensuring Uganda has another chance to fight for gold.

Her victory capped an encouraging showing by Uganda’s women, six of whom reached the semi-finals. However, only Nagawa progressed to the final after four of her teammates fell short.

Rashida Nakawoza (46–48kg) lost to Kenya’s Grace Atieno by a second-round referee-stopped contest (RSC), while Peninah Amoding (51–54kg) suffered a 5–0 defeat against Algeria’s Malak Nour E Aichoune.

Erina Namutebi (60–65kg) also lost 5–0 to Algeria’s Benane Djouher, while Diana Atwine (75–80kg) bowed out after an RSC defeat against Nigeria’s Blessing Orakyue.

Brendah Muduwa was the sixth Ugandan woman to reach the semi-finals, completing a strong showing by the team, which has seven representatives at the championship.

Despite the setbacks, Nagawa’s progress gives Uganda a chance to add gold to the medals already secured.

Nsubuga leads the charge

Samuel Nsubuga also delivered, defeating Kenya’s Emmanuel Odhiambo 5–0 in the men’s bantamweight category (50–55kg) to reach the final.

The victory extended his impressive run after he stopped Algeria’s Amine Zanaz in the third round of their quarter-final.

Nsubuga had earlier beaten Benin’s Osias Agbotoney 5–0 in his opening bout, making his run to the final a display of consistency.

With successive fights testing his recovery and conditioning, the Ugandan has little room for error as he targets gold.

Mulungi completes Uganda’s trio

Mulungi Kassim made it three Ugandan finalists after stopping Algeria’s Hichem Maouche in the third round by RSC in the men’s lightweight division (55–60kg).

His emphatic victory secured a place in the final and strengthened Uganda’s challenge in the men’s competition.

Nagawa, Nsubuga and Mulungi are now assured of at least silver medals, with all three aiming to finish their campaigns with gold.

Tabule settles for bronze

Emmanuel Tabule was among the Ugandans who missed out on the finals, losing 3–2 to Kenya’s Clinton Machena in the super-heavyweight category (over 90kg).

The closely contested defeat left Tabule with bronze.

Uganda had 13 of its 18 boxers reach the semi-finals, guaranteeing the team at least 13 bronze medals.

The Bombers now look to their three finalists to turn an encouraging championship campaign into gold.