Arereng Kenneth Kent
Team Kampala is the winner of the inaugural Friends of Boxing Inter City Fight Night held on Friday 31st July 2026 in Gulu City. Hosts Gulu put up a spirited challenge against Kampala but in the end, the latter scored 6-4 while 2 matches ended in a draw at Boma Hotel.
Kampala took the first 2 victories through Irene Kyaviro who convincingly defeated Phoebe Lamaro in a bantamweight 4-rounder and Faisal Ashinda Jr who defeated Innocent Odur in a super featherweight contest in 4 rounds.
Gulu got its first victory through David Okao who got a unanimous decision win over Michale Lukwago Seruwu in a welter weight 4 rounder contest.
Norbert Jerry Kakanyero levelled matters for Gulu with a unanimous decision win over Ismail Kibirige, in a super welterweight duel where both fighters virtually failed at the basics.
An exciting super bantamweight face-off between Gulu’s Ronald Kakanyero ended in a draw with Joseph Katabi after 6 rounds.
The experienced Sarah Laker Katongole put Gulu 3-2 up, with a dominant victory over Marion Akankunda in a super lightweight contest.
Bienfaint Shetebo equalized for Kampala after a tough contest with Jimmy Odong in a 6-round super featherweight duel.
Lady pugilist, Jessica Nakiridde, arguably the best female fighter of the night, dominated Gulu’s Sharon Lakica to restore Kampala’s lead to 4-3 in a super bantamweight 4-rounder.
Cruiserweight Ronnie Wandera scored the first KO of the night, stopping Gulu’s Alfred Oryang in a the second of 4 rounds to extend Kampala’s lead 5-3.
Sowali Sentongo sealed Kampala’s victory at 6-4 after taming the stubborn Lucky Ogenrwot in a super bantamweight 6-rounder.
The highly anticipated co-main bout ended in a controversial draw between rising star Ronald Duku (Gulu) and the experienced Ivan Magumba. Some Gulu fans protested the result claiming Duku deserved victory, though Magumba himself said he deserved the win because he scored enough and Duku often fouled him.
The main fight between Kenneth Kaunda and Yakubu Magumba ended in under 2 rounds with the experienced Kaunda emerging the winner. Yakubu Magumba spent several minutes protesting his corner’s decision to throw in the towel in the second round. That did not stop Gulu from celebrating a powerful victory.
Gulu’s sports officers Braxton Ojara and Robert Okot pledged support to FOB and Uganda Professional Boxing Commission to promote pro boxing in Gulu despite the controversy caused by the National Sports Act 2023 that gives Uganda Boxing Federation mandate over all boxing activities in Uganda.
FOB’s head of marketing and development Frank Lulinda was contented that the first event happened as planned though he admits it should have started a little earlier.
He thanked all the hosts and fans who travelled from Kampala to witness the first pro boxing event in Gulu. Lulinda promised a bigger and better event next month.
