Samuel Nsubuga has promised to return home with a medal after stopping Algeria’s Amine Zanaz in the third round to reach the semifinals of the 2026 African Elite Men and Women’s Boxing Championships in Nairobi.

“Allah has helped me stop my opponent in the third round for my country, Uganda. It’s the first time for me to represent, and I’m not going to fail you. I’m coming back with a medal,” Nsubuga said.

The bantamweight boxer (50-55kg) delivered a strong performance on Monday, forcing the referee to stop his quarter-final contest against Zanaz and securing a place in the last four.

It was another confident display from Nsubuga, who had opened his campaign with a convincing 5-0 victory over Benin’s Osias Agbotoney on Day One.

His progress has added to Uganda’s impressive run in Nairobi, where 13 of the 18 boxers on the team have reached the semifinals, guaranteeing the country at least 13 bronze medals.

However, the day also brought disappointment for flyweight Kakande Bruno, who lost 4-1 on a split decision to Kenya’s Kevin Maina in the 47-50kg quarterfinal.

Kakande had hoped to join Nsubuga in the last four, but his defeat means Uganda’s medal tally remains at 13.

Coach Akram felt Kakande had put in the effort but was frustrated by his opponent’s tactics.

“Kakande tried as much to bring out all he had, with the opponent just running around, and the fight was later given out to the opponent,” Akram said.

Despite the loss, the coach remained upbeat about Uganda’s campaign, pointing to the team’s success against Algerian opposition.

“However, God has rewarded us with a medal to Bruno Kakande, commonly known as Lwasa, who has beaten an Algerian, whom many might fear in Algeria, which means we are returning with medals,” he added.

Uganda’s men have six other semifinalists: Khassim Mulungi (60kg), Alfred Ojok (75kg), Richard Kasujja (80kg), Arafat Kibirige (85kg), Aziz Abdul Ringo (90kg) and Emmanuel Tabule (90kg-plus).

The team has also lost Innocent Amoko, who fell 4–1 to Kenya’s Aloice Vincent, and captain Ukasha Matovu, who suffered a 5-0 defeat to Kenya’s Boniface Mogunde. Kakande is the latest addition to the list of eliminated boxers.

The women have been equally impressive, with six of Uganda’s seven representatives reaching the semifinals.

Rashida Nakawoza (48kg), Brendah Muduwa (51kg), Peninah Amoding (54kg), Vanessa Nagawa (57kg), Erina Namutebi (65kg) and Diana Atwine (81kg) have all secured places in the last four.

Fatuma Nabikolo is the only Ugandan woman to exit the competition so far, following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Egypt’s Mohamed Rahma.

With boxers already assured of medals, Uganda has given itself a strong chance of returning from Nairobi with a sizeable haul.