Boxing in Katanga

World Press Photo 2019 Photo Contest, Sports, 1st Prize

Uganda 2018-2021

Survive in Katanga

Boxer Moreen Ajambo (30) trains at the Rhino boxing club in Katanga, a large slum settlement in Kampala, Uganda, on 24 March. More than 20,000 people live in Katanga, crowded together and often in extreme poverty. The boxing club receives no outside funding. Ajambo, a mother of seven, boxes in the Ugandan women’s team. Men’s boxing has a long history in Uganda, but women boxers are often frustrated by the few opportunities to compete at an international level.

Each day, Moreen rises at 5:00 AM, embarking on a rigorous 90-minute run through Uganda's capital, Kampala, before returning to her humble home—a cramped space of just 6-7 square meters that she rents. There, she prepares breakfast for her seven children, five of whom are her youngest.

Once breakfast is served, her workday begins. She earns a modest income by preparing and delivering lunch to regular customers in Katanga, earning around 5000 shillings, just over 1 US dollar, per day. In addition to this, she works as a hairdresser, taking on clients once her afternoon session at the Rhino Boxing Club concludes. She'll continue cutting hair until midnight if necessary, generating an income of 45,000 to 60,000 shillings (approximately 12-17 USD) in a good week. Life in the slum affords her little time to rest.

Despite facing the relentless challenges of daily life, Moreen pushes forward, focusing on her training and matches. However, concerns about bills and school fees for her children often weigh heavily on her mind. Despite receiving little to no support from authorities or boxing associations, Moreen refuses to give up: “My greatest strength lies in my heart and courage. I fear nothing, and if someone says something is impossible, it only motivates me further."

While her ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympics, her dream goes beyond the ring—to break free from the constraints of the slum and provide her children with a brighter future.

Katanga is a slum located in the city of Kampala, Uganda. Situated in the northern part of the city, it is close to the Makerere University campus. Like many other slum areas in developing countries, Katanga faces numerous challenges including poverty, overpopulation, inadequate housing, limited access to basic services, and a lack of formal infrastructure.