Ugandan martial arts actor tipped for international breakthrough

Ugandan actor and martial arts master Mansour Ssejjemba, commonly known as Ki Man Lee, is poised to make his mark on the international martial arts stage after garnering attention from renowned masters.

In March, the actor played host to several martial arts experts from various countries, including Fernando Huanacuni, a notable figure from Bolivia who serves as the president of the Bolivian Association of Shaolin Chan Kung Fu.

Huanacuni, a former Bolivian minister of foreign affairs, holds esteemed positions within the International Wu Shu Federation (IWUF), the Pan American Wu Shu Federation, and the International Shaolin Chan Association. With these roles, he is tasked with fostering connections among martial arts practitioners globally.

Reflecting on Huanacuni's visit, Ssejjemba told New Vision that it was the recognition of his work on a global scale that led to the diplomat's decision to visit him.

He revealed that Huanacuni expressed a commitment to elevating the status of martial arts in Uganda through collaboration with Sejjemba's training institute and facilitating its integration into the international arena.

"He holds strong positions in different platforms of martial arts and so, his visit in Uganda means much to us and especial to me. Through him, I hope to register my training institute with international bodies and this will be a great opportunity to us," Ssejjemba said.

He expressed optimism about the potential collaborations that could arise from this newfound relationship at the international level.

Ssejjemba anticipates that members of his training institute will have the opportunity to engage with counterparts worldwide. Additionally, he looks to Huanacuni's influence to facilitate a return to the Shaolin Temple, a journey he embarked on years ago.

It is noteworthy that Ssejjemba has showcased his martial arts prowess in various films and platforms. He is remembered for his appearances on Bukeddde TV's Yolesa Ekitone, where he demonstrated his skills as a swordsman. Furthermore, he has featured in films such as Loukman Ali's Ubuntu Uppercut and Isaac Nabwana's Who Killed Captain Alex.