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Tukamuhebwa, Uganda's most successful boxer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, has expressed his high spirits and readiness for the imminent continental showdown.
Joshua Tukamuhebwa, the acclaimed captain of Uganda's national boxing team, the Bombers, is instilling an air of confidence in his squad as they commence their intensive residential training.
This comes ahead of the highly anticipated Africa Boxing Championships, slated to take place from July 25 to August 6 in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Tukamuhebwa, Uganda's most successful boxer at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, has expressed his high spirits and readiness for the imminent continental showdown.
The team is presently engaged in rigorous preparations at their camp based at the Forest Park Resort in Buloba, Wakiso District.
With the Yaounde event just days away, Tukamuhebwa voiced his satisfaction regarding the team's progression since the onset of their training.
"We were called into camp on Thursday, and we arrived well,” Tukamuhebwa enthusiastically stated.
“Training started well, and by the end of the first session, we managed to impress the coaches with our fitness, which is a sign that even where we are going, we can perform well,” he added.
His remarks reflect the team's focus, discipline, and drive, which he believes are key indicators of their potential to excel in the upcoming championships.
His leadership shines through his emphasis on the team's well-being, which he deems integral to their overall performance. "Our welfare in camp is good, we are fed well and taken care of," he added.
Tukamuhebwa is not only concerned about the physical aspects of training but also stresses the importance of the mental and emotional well-being of his team.
His outlook paints a picture of a focused and determined team, setting a high bar for what fans and spectators can expect from the Bombers in Cameroon.
The national team comprises five international-level players: Ukasha Matovu, a 2018 AFBC Youth Championships silver medallist now fighting at welterweight.
Light-heavyweight Idriss Mukiibi; super-heavyweight Solomon Geko; female welterweight Emily Nakalema, and Tukamuhebwa are the others
Seven more boxers will make their international debut in Yaounde, including the 18-year-old national featherweight champion Mulungi Kassim of East Coast Boxing Club.
Mulungi is also a City High School student. This youthful talent was preferred over Jonathan Kyobe, a bronze medallist in last year's Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.
Other newcomers include minimumweight Joseph Kalema, lightweight Ssali Wasswa, light-middleweight Muzamir Semmud, middleweight Ronald Okello, cruiserweight Lawrence Kayiwa and super-heavyweight James Baraka.
Debutants in the women's category include light-flyweight Grace Nakinga, bantamweight Naddia Najjeme, featherweight Sharua Ndagire, lightweight Zahara Nandawula, and light-welter Erina Namutebi.
Coaches Twaib Mayanja and Ramadan Seguya will be guiding the team.
Besides Uganda, like DR Congo, Tanzania, Comoros, Cameroon, Senegal, Egypt, Swaziland, Guinea, Morocco, Botswana, Congo Brazzaville and Mauritius have confirmed participation.
Others are Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Malawi, Gabon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Angola, Guinea Bissau, Togo, Mali, Zambia, Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and South Africa.
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