Ugandan boxer Frank Kiwalabye has broken his silence following his controversial defeat in Tanzania, making serious allegations that he and members of his team were drugged during the fight night, a claim that has added a new layer of controversy to the bout.

Kiwalabye was stopped via RTD in the 6th round by Tanzanian fighter Ibrahim Mafia in a bout staged in Dar-es-Salaam. The fight had initially been recorded as a routine stoppage victory for the home boxer, but the Ugandan contender now says circumstances surrounding the contest were far from normal.

Allegations After the Fight

Speaking after the bout, Kiwalabye claimed that both he and individuals in his corner lost focus and physical clarity during the fight, which he now attributes to suspected drugging.

“During the fight we lost focus suddenly. Something was not right with me and even with my team in the corner. I strongly believe we were drugged,” Kiwalabye said while addressing the circumstances surrounding the defeat.

The allegation, if proven, would represent a serious breach of sporting integrity and fighter safety, though no official investigation has yet been publicly announced.

A Fighter Coming in With Momentum

Kiwalabye entered the Tanzania contest in strong form, having recorded five consecutive victories prior to the fight. The winning streak had significantly elevated his standing in the rankings and positioned him as one of Uganda’s rising contenders.

At the time of the bout, he was ranked No. 1 out of 4 fighters in the Super Bantamweight division in Uganda and 117 out of 1,429 worldwide, reflecting a promising trajectory in the professional ranks.

Because of that momentum, the sudden nature of the defeat — particularly through a corner retirement — came as a surprise to many observers.

Questions Surrounding the Event

The fight took place in Tanzania under circumstances that have increasingly drawn scrutiny in recent months, particularly following previous complaints from other camps regarding conditions faced by visiting fighters.

Kiwalabye’s allegations now raise broader questions about:

• Fighter safety and welfare
• Event supervision and oversight
• Protection of visiting fighters
• Transparency in fight-night operations

While the Tanzanian promotion involved in the event has not yet issued a public response to the accusations, such claims are likely to intensify calls for greater regulatory oversight in cross-border boxing events within East Africa.

A Career Still on Track

Despite the defeat, analysts maintain that Kiwalabye’s overall record and recent winning streak demonstrate that he remains a competitive force in the super bantamweight division.

His current rankings and previous performances suggest that the loss may not significantly derail his career trajectory if he can return to the ring under clearer and more controlled competitive conditions.

Awaiting Further Developments

For now, Kiwalabye’s statements have shifted attention from the result itself to the conditions under which the fight took place. Whether the allegations lead to further inquiry or official review remains to be seen.

What is certain, however, is that his comments have reignited discussion across the regional boxing community about fair competition, athlete protection, and accountability in international fight promotions.

As the dust settles, many within the sport will be watching closely to see whether the claims lead to formal investigations or responses from the relevant promoters and authorities.