MUKONO, May 20 (AGCNewsNet) – In a small town just outside Uganda’s capital, a group of young men and women are transforming professional wrestling, captivating millions online through a sport that takes place not in a high-tech arena, but in a mud pit outlined with bamboo.

Soft Ground Wrestling (SGW), as the gritty, homegrown promotion is called, began as a modest initiative by wrestling enthusiast Daniel Bumba, known locally as “Bumbash.” The fights take place in a thick patch of sticky mud marked with two faded yellow lines and surrounded by cheering fans.

“We didn’t have the money to buy a real wrestling ring,” said Bumba, 37, who started the movement in 2023. “So we improvised using bamboo from the forest nearby. And instead of canvas, we use natural clay and mud to soften the impact. That’s what makes us unique.”

The unique format has struck a chord online. SGW has garnered over 500 million views across TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook and YouTube. Weekly fights in Mukono attract an average of 5,000 spectators, according to Bumba.

Yet, behind the viral fame lies a story of struggle and resilience. Most of the SGW wrestlers are under 25, many orphans or raised by single parents. They train under scorching sun or rain, sleep in rented dormitories, and depend on donations and Bumba’s personal income from his job as a local TV host.

“Most of my salary goes to these young fighters. I don’t even save anything,” said Bumba. “They call me Papa. I’m always there for them.”

One of SGW’s stars, 23-year-old Jordan Loverine, credits wrestling with saving his life after dropping out of school.

“I was almost giving up in life,” he said. “But SGW has given me a new family and new dreams – to become a great wrestler, to gain fame and success and to help others.”

Twenty-year-old Lamono Evelyn, known in the ring as Zampi, is another standout. Raised in Northern Uganda by her mother, she never finished high school due to financial hardship.

“Before SGW, I had anger issues. I was arrogant,” she said. “Wrestling helped me control my anger. Now it’s my entire life.”

The popularity of SGW online has attracted the attention of professional wrestlers abroad. WWE star Cody Rhodes donated a professional wrestling ring earlier this year. But even with this upgrade, SGW continues to embrace its muddy origins.

“We can now compete at an international level,” Bumba said. “But we will still maintain our mud fights. That’s our identity.”

Source: BBC

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