Latest news with #DanielBumba
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The Ugandan mud wrestlers who became a global sensation
In a quiet town on the outskirts of Uganda's capital, a group of young men and women are redefining professional wrestling and have become an unlikely global do not perform in a grand arena or have flashing lights, a jumbo screen or even canvas laid over wood in their bamboo sticks and two faded yellow lines mark out a square of thick, sticky mud which forms the stage for Soft Ground Wrestling, popularly known as SGW."We didn't have the money to buy a real wrestling ring," Daniel Bumba, the man behind the homegrown spectacle, explained to BBC Sport Africa."So we improvised using bamboo from the forest nearby. And instead of canvas, we use the natural clay and the mud to soften the impact."That's what makes us unique."From its modest beginnings, SGW has racked up over 500 million views across TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube and draws passionate fans to its regular events in Mukono."They are our people. We love what they do," said one female supporter. Providing hope in the ring Despite the hype on social media, SGW is not all glamour and wrestlers, predominantly either orphans or raised by single parents, receive no salary and rely on donations to get train under rain and blazing sun, cook basic meals of porridge outdoors, and sleep in rented 23, Jordan Loverine has emerged as one of SGW's brightest stars and is a symbol of what the sport can mean to those with nowhere else to turn."Wrestling has given me hope after dropping out of school," he told BBC Sport Africa."I was almost giving up in life."But SGW has given me a new family and new dreams too - to become a great wrestler, to gain fame and success and to help others."More than 100 young Ugandans, all aged 25 and under, now make up the SGW the standout talents is Lamono Evelyn from Northern Uganda, whose stage name is by her mother after losing her father as a baby, she never completed high school because of financial through wrestling, the 20-year-old has found discipline, purpose and renewed hope."Before SGW, I had anger issues. I was arrogant," she told BBC Sport Africa."Wrestling helped me control my anger. Now it's my entire life. It has changed me mentally and physically." From WWE commentator to SGW founder Bumba, nicknamed Bumbash, is a lifelong wrestling enthusiast who grew up mimicking WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) commentators."My mum used to beat me for loving professional wrestling," Bumbash, 37, said."But I was so passionate about it I started imitating the commentators, and eventually I was translating WWE matches into Luganda for local TV."By 2023, Bumbash realised there was a hungry audience for the sport but no local infrastructure. So he took a bold step, training youngsters and building his own version from he shared their first muddy matches online, the response was immediate. Professionals from WWE and AEW (All Elite Wrestling) even reached out to offer their media continues to play a crucial role, with some fighters even recruited through the popularity of SGW online, Bumbash only recently started monetising their videos and brings in less than $1000 per covers just a small part of their operational costs, and Bumbash dips into his modest earnings as a local TV host to fund accommodation, meals and other expenses."Most of my salary goes to these young fighters. I don't even save anything," he said."They call me Papa. I'm always there for them. I feed them, house them and keep them close." Battling on all fronts Safety remains a pressing concern for bouts are scripted and choreographed, injuries from broken bones to neck strains still occur."We're trying so hard to get first aid kits, medicine and protective gear," Bumbash said. "But money is always the issue."It is not unusual to see a career-ending injury at least once a month."Sometimes it's a backache or a neck injury," Bumbash added. "Sometimes a young fighter breaks a bone."We try to respond quickly, but it's tough without proper equipment."Despite the risks, passion remains undimmed among the wrestlers."It takes sacrifice," said Loverine."You have to leave many things behind - friends who discourage you, work opportunities - and focus on wrestling."Zampi added: "Fighting in the mud is very hard. But if you really want something, you can do it."SGW eventually caught the eye of WWE star Cody Rhodes, who donated a game-changing professional ring to the group earlier this year."We can now compete at an international level," said Bumbash."But we will still maintain our mud fights. That's our identity."Even with the professional ring, SGW's fighters remain fiercely proud of their roots."I like the ring, but I prefer the mud," Zampi said with a smile."It defines the African way."With fame growing, Bumbash hopes to build an even bigger future for SGW, starting with securing their field used for training is rented, and SGW risks losing its base unless it can raise $40,000 to buy it."If we can buy this land we can build dormitories, a gym, a proper medical facility," said Bumbash."We want to create Africa's first world-class wrestling promotion, exporting talent to the global stage."As they continue to wrestle in the mud, train in the rain and dream of the world stage, Uganda's soft ground wrestlers are proving that sometimes, greatness really does rise from the dirt.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
At least 33 die in floods in Democratic Republic of Congo
At least 33 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo in floods that have limited access to more than half of the country's capital, Kinshasa. Ten deaths were confirmed on Sunday evening, adding to the 23 people already known to have died, the country's interior minister Jacquemin Shabani said on state television. Most of the deaths were down to walls that collapsed under the deluge after heavy rains, which began last week and caused the Ndjili River to overflow on Friday, leaving hundreds of buildings under water, officials said on Sunday. China accuses US of bullying - tariffs latest While the situation had improved by Monday morning, some access roads remained blocked, and traffic was limited while authorities hurried to evacuate and support those trapped indoors by rising waters. The main road to the airport, which also links Kinshasa to the rest of the country, was damaged by the flooding but will be open to all vehicles within 72 hours, Kinshasa governor Daniel Bumba said over the weekend. Access to drinking water has been affected in at least 16 communes, the interior ministry said in a statement. At least four emergency shelters have been set up to help hundreds of displaced families across the city, the ministry said. Many residents blamed the government for not responding quickly enough to the disaster. Marie Nzola, one of those whose property was destroyed, said: "We lost everything and left everything behind. The rain caught us by surprise late at night." Clement Matwidi said: "Everything is lost due to the floods (and) we are here waiting for the government's decision." Read more:Iran and US disagree over nuclear talksEurope's hottest March on recordDire wolf revived by ancient DNA In 2022, at least 100 people were killed during similar flooding in Kinshasa. The Congolese government is already battling a humanitarian disaster in the east of the huge country, where decades of fighting with rebels escalated in February, worsening what is already one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
Sky News
08-04-2025
- Climate
- Sky News
At least 33 die in floods in Democratic Republic of Congo
At least 33 people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo in floods that have limited access to more than half of the country's capital, Kinshasa. Ten deaths were confirmed on Sunday evening, adding to the 23 people already known to have died, the country's interior minister Jacquemin Shabani said on state television. Most of the deaths were down to walls that collapsed under the deluge after heavy rains, which began last week and caused the Ndjili River to overflow on Friday, leaving hundreds of buildings under water, officials said on Sunday. While the situation had improved by Monday morning, some access roads remained blocked, and traffic was limited while authorities hurried to evacuate and support those trapped indoors by rising waters. The main road to the airport, which also links Kinshasa to the rest of the country, was damaged by the flooding but will be open to all vehicles within 72 hours, Kinshasa governor Daniel Bumba said over the weekend. Access to drinking water has been affected in at least 16 communes, the interior ministry said in a statement. At least four emergency shelters have been set up to help hundreds of displaced families across the city, the ministry said. Many residents blamed the government for not responding quickly enough to the disaster. Marie Nzola, one of those whose property was destroyed, said: "We lost everything and left everything behind. The rain caught us by surprise late at night." Clement Matwidi said: "Everything is lost due to the floods (and) we are here waiting for the government's decision." In 2022, at least 100 people were killed during similar flooding in Kinshasa. The Congolese government is already battling a humanitarian disaster in the east of the huge country, where decades of fighting with rebels escalated in February, worsening what is already one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Death toll from flooding in Congo's capital reaches 33 as officials race to support victims
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — The death toll from flooding that cut access to over half of the Congolese capital of Kinshasa reached 33 as authorities raced Monday to evacuate and support hundreds of families trapped in their homes. Ten more people were confirmed dead as of Sunday evening, in addition to the 23 people killed the day before, Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani said on state television late Sunday. Heavy rains began last week, causing the key Ndjili River to overflow on Friday and submerge hundreds of buildings. While the situation had improved by Monday morning, some access roads remained blocked and vehicular traffic was limited. Many residents blamed the government for not responding quickly enough to the disaster. Officials said Sunday that most of the fatalities were caused by walls that collapsed shortly after the deluge began. The main road to the airport, which also links Kinshasa to the rest of Congo, was damaged by the flooding but will be open to all traffic within 72 hours, Kinshasa Gov. Daniel Bumba said over the weekend. The flooding has also hampered access to drinking water in at least 16 communes after water facilities were affected, the Congolese interior ministry said in a statement. The government has set up at least four emergency shelters that were catering to hundreds of displaced families across the city, the ministry said. Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi was expected to visit the hospitals treating the injured as well as affected areas on Monday. In 2022, at least 100 people were killed during similar flooding in Kinshasa. The disaster comes as the government is battling a humanitarian disaster in the east of the country, more than 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) from Kinshasa, where decades of fighting with rebels escalated in February, worsening what is already one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Death toll from flooding in Congo's capital reaches 33 as officials race to support victims
The death toll from flooding that cut access to over half of the Congolese capital of Kinshasa reached 33 as authorities raced Monday to evacuate and support hundreds of families trapped in their homes. Ten more people were confirmed dead as of Sunday evening, in addition to the 23 people killed the day before, Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani said on state television late Sunday. Heavy rains began last week, causing the key Ndjili River to overflow on Friday and submerge hundreds of buildings. While the situation had improved by Monday morning, some access roads remained blocked and vehicular traffic was limited. Many residents blamed the government for not responding quickly enough to the disaster. Officials said Sunday that most of the fatalities were caused by walls that collapsed shortly after the deluge began. The main road to the airport, which also links Kinshasa to the rest of Congo, was damaged by the flooding but will be open to all traffic within 72 hours, Kinshasa Gov. Daniel Bumba said over the weekend. The flooding has also hampered access to drinking water in at least 16 communes after water facilities were affected, the Congolese interior ministry said in a statement. The government has set up at least four emergency shelters that were catering to hundreds of displaced families across the city, the ministry said. Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi was expected to visit the hospitals treating the injured as well as affected areas on Monday. In 2022, at least 100 people were killed during similar flooding in Kinshasa. The disaster comes as the government is battling a humanitarian disaster in the east of the country, more than 2,600 kilometers (1,600 miles) from Kinshasa, where decades of fighting with rebels escalated in February, worsening what is already one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
