Boxer Mwenda wins gold for Uganda at Africa Youth Championships

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Light welterweight Joshua Mwenda delivered a stunning performance to secure a gold medal for Uganda at the recently concluded Africa Youth Boxing Championship held in Conakry, Guinea.

The championship, which attracted participants from over 20 African countries, is running from May 16 to 26, 2025.

Mwenda, 18, is the son of Scovia Afuchan, a food waitress at Meat Packers Market in Bugolobi, Kampala. He made history by becoming the first Ugandan boxer to win a continental gold medal since welterweight Muzamir Kakande, also known as ‘The Real King Kong’, in 2017.

Uganda's light welterweight Joshua Mwenda (centre) poses for a photo with his gold medal at the concluded Africa Youth Boxing Championship in Guiena Conakry, next to him is Guinea's Mmadou Diallo (left) and South Africa's Vumazonke Indiphile (right) who won silver and bronze respectively. (Courtesy photo)

Supported by Multi Sports Centre, Mwenda was Uganda’s sole representative at the tournament. He was accompanied only by his coach, Herbert Skills Kalungi of Sparks Boxing Club in Kitintale, and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) referee and judge, Moses Mugaga.

Mwenda’s path to gold saw him register two second-round technical knockouts (TKOs) against South Africa’s Vumazonke Indiphile and Libya’s Mohammed Kesher in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

However, it was in the final that Mwenda truly showcased his talent. He dominated and outclassed host nation Guinea’s Mamadou Diallo, earning a standing ovation from the home crowd.

He won the bout unanimously, knocking Diallo down twice before the referee stopped the contest.

“I give all the glory to God. I had dreamt of this moment, but I never imagined it would happen during my debut for the national team,” Mwenda, a Senior Five student at Bweyogerere SS, told Vision Sport.

“I commend my fans, Sparks Boxing Club, the federation, my sponsors, Multi Sports Centre and Inspired Brands Promotions, for helping turn my dream a reality.”

According to Kalungi, early preparation played a pivotal role in his boxer’s success.

“Talent-wise, I’m not surprised by Mwenda’s heroics in Guinea. He is electric, a boxing artist with skill and power. Thanks to our sponsors, we were able to camp early, and that made all the difference.”

Uganda Boxing Federation president, Moses Muhangi, attributed Mwenda’s achievement to the impact of the National Boxing Champions League, describing the young boxer as one of the country's current outstanding punchers.

“As a country, we are immensely proud of Mwenda,” Muhangi said. “He’s a reminder that Uganda has never lacked boxing talent. The Champions League has played a vital role in developing his potential.”

The trio is expected to return to the country on Wednesday, May 28.