Shafic Kiwanuka set for first fight in nearly four years
Dubbed the 'Roots Fight Night', Kiwanuka, once Uganda's heavyweight prospect, takes on DR Congo's Yannick Katuta Manda on May 2 at MTN Arena in Lugogo.
Heavyweight boxer Shafic 'The Killing Machine' Kiwanuka is seeking to revive his career
Heavyweight Shafic 'Killing Machine' Kiwanuka is confident of reviving his boxing career as he gears up for his first home fight after a 1,394-day sabbatical.
Dubbed the 'Roots Fight Night', Kiwanuka, once Uganda's heavyweight prospect, takes on DR Congo's Yannick Katuta Manda on May 2 at MTN Arena in Lugogo.
The same event will see another Ugandan heavyweight, Herbert 'Black Bomber' Matovu, take on Kenya's Simon Tchetha.
For Kiwanuka, the bout carries added significance as it will be his first home fight in nearly four years. His last home fight was an emphatic first-round knockout over Argentina's Nestor Fabien Insaurralde at the International University of East Africa (IUEA) on July 8, 2022.
Furthermore, the event marks a new chapter in his career as he steps into the ring under a new management team: Dubai-based Nana Promotions, owned by Ghanaian Michael Adom Adomako and Ugandan Khalid Muzaphar.
The former national boxing puncher previously parted ways with Great Striker's International, owned by businessman Sam Buchanan and Emma Mwesigwa, with Kiwanuka accusing his former bosses of failing to fulfill their contract terms. He has also previously been sponsored by city tycoon Hamis Kiggundu.
For Kiwanuka, his forthcoming blockbuster against Yannick Manda is a defining opportunity to lace up his ring boots and gloves.
"This is my golden opportunity to revive my boxing career. The truth is my split with Great Strikers dragged me back. But thank God I have a new team which is more professional to take me to greater heights," Kiwanuka, who trains at KBC Gym, told Vision Sport.
He added: "My call to my fans is to fill MTN Arena to capacity. I have trained hard and I'm in good shape. I promise a performance worthy of my return and what they have been missing in the ring."
Kiwanuka heads into this six-round contest on the back of a third-round knockout win over Tanzania's Lugano Mwaikambo in Nairobi on August 30, 2025.
His ring record stands at 5-4-0 (winning four of his five professional fights by knockout before drawing the other against South Africa's Chris Thompson). He remains undefeated since turning pro in 2019.
Yannick Manda, on the other side, brings vast experience with a 17-8-9 record. The DR Congolese fighter has previously faced Ugandan opponents, suffering defeats to Yusuf 'The Rolling Tiger' Babu and Hudson Muhumuza.