▪️They’re both hot medal prospects in this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
April 25, 2026
The 2025 Africa Zone 3 Boxing Championship in Nairobi proved to be a defining moment for Ugandan women’s boxing, with featherweight Fatuma “The Thunder” Nabikolo and Emily Nakalema underlining their status as top-tier talents by securing gold medals.
Their dominant performances established them as essential selections for any serious coach prioritizing excellence, skill, and championship mentality in their squad when selecting his/her team for a major international tournament.
Fatuma demonstrated exceptional skill in the 57kg division, securing the gold medal with a comprehensive and clinical 5-0 victory over Congo’s Phoba Kerene in the finals, highlighting her technical superiority, confidence and endurance on the continental stage.
Emily Nakalema showcased natural power in the ring, notably overpowering Tanzania’s Salma Yahya to win her gold medal with a first round stoppage win, showcasing the type of aggressive, finishing capability that coaches look for in high-pressure tournaments.
The performances of Fatuma and Nakalema, along with other “Bombers” (Uganda’s national boxing team), saw Uganda leave Nairobi with a total of 15 medals, displaying superb tactical boxing that once made Uganda one of the world’s boxing superpowers.
Both Fatuma and Nakalema demonstrated that they can win when it matters most, making them key figures for future international competitions..
Their ability to manage top-tier competition and secure technical knockouts or unanimous decisions makes them undeniably the first names on a team sheet for top-level competition for any professional coach worth his/her salt.
The success of Fatuma and Nakalema during the Africa Zone 3 tournament featuring strong competition from DR Congo and Kenya, solidified their places as premier female boxers in Uganda and the wider region.
Glasgow here comes Uganda’s two fearless boxers ready to take on the best in the squared circle.
