Uganda Shines at UFAK East Region Karate Championships 2026

31/05/2026

The Ugandan national karate delegation delivered a stellar performance at the UFAK East Region Cadets, Juniors, and Seniors Karate Championships held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. Competing against top martial arts talent from across East Africa, Team Uganda secured a total of four medals; one gold and three bronze hence finishing a commendable fourth overall in the regional standings.

The tournament, which ran from May 27 to May 31, 2026, highlighted the elite competitive standards and rapid development of karate within Uganda and the broader East African region.

The definitive highlight of the tournament came from Hidhir Musabu Dukundimana, who clinched the regional title in the fiercely competitive Men's -67kg Kumite category. In a tactical and nail-biting final, Dukundimana edged out Ethiopia’s Natanaen Habtamu Taye with a 4-3 victory to claim the gold medal. The victory marks a monumental achievement for Ugandan martial arts on the international stage, further cementing his reputation as one of the continent's rising karate stars.

Uganda's competitive depth was on full display as three additional national athletes fought their way onto the podium to secure vital bronze medals for the country:

Onoria Charles – Bronze Medalist
Kaganda Ramathan – Bronze Medalist
Francis Obedgul – Bronze Medalist

This collective podium success was guided closely by the national coaching staff, led by coaches Nduga Edrisa Hassan and Makoha Micheal, whose technical preparation and tactical guidance proved instrumental throughout the grueling multi-day tournament.

Technical Excellence: Ugandan Referees Advance in WKF Standards

Beyond the athlete categories, Uganda made significant strides in raising continental officiating standards. Co-sponsored by the World Karate Federation (WKF), a high-level referee and coach seminar was held alongside the competition to standardize officiating criteria and implement the latest 2026 WKF Competition Rules. The technical seminar was led directly by WKF Referee Commission Chair Javier Escalante, alongside UFAK President Souleymane Gaye and UFAK Vice President Bechir Cherif.

Four premier Ugandan officials successfully participated, representing the federation at the highest technical tier:

Opiyo James
Emoku Martin
Setumba Ronnie Arnold
Gideon Ndgurigira

From the left: WKF Referee Commission Chair Javier Escalante, UKF General Secretary Emoku Martin, UKF Techinical Commissioner James Opio, and UKF Emeritus National Coach Ssetumba Ronnie Arnold

"The popularity of karate in Africa is evident and is clearly showcased in events such as these," stated WKF President Antonio Espinós, praising the continental push toward technical mastery and standardized regional growth.

With a solid fourth-place finish behind regional powerhouses Kenya, Ethiopia, and Madagascar, the Uganda Karate Federation looks forward to building on this momentum. The combination of elite athletic podiums and world-class technical certification for our officials ensures that the future of Ugandan karate remains exceptionally bright.

Uganda Shines at UFAK East Region Karate Championships 2026

Technical Excellence: Ugandan Referees Advance in WKF Standards

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