Atta Soja: The Ugandan boxer’s rise to heavyweight prominence

In the world of Ugandan boxing, one name is making waves: Atta Soja. Born Atalu, Soja adopted his nickname from his friend and fellow rapper, symbolizing his transformation into a “warrior” in the ring. But Soja’s journey to professional boxing was far from easy.

Growing up, Soja’s passion for boxing was ignited by his brothers, who were all boxers. His brother Sharif introduced him to the sport, and Soja never looked back. However, his mother’s disapproval forced him to box in secret, fearing she would send him to boarding school if she discovered his extracurricular activities. Despite this, Soja’s father supported his decision to turn professional, eventually convincing his mother to accept his career choice.

As an amateur, Soja faced numerous challenges. He boxed in the cruiserweight division due to Uganda’s limited heavyweight talent pool. However, after turning professional, he gained weight and transitioned to heavyweight, encouraged by fellow boxer Hakim. Soja’s amateur career was marked by little achievement, aside from medals, due to his secretive nature and limited time devoted to the sport.

Now, as a professional, Soja faces new challenges. He trains rigorously, dedicating three hours to evening training and six miles to morning running. His wife, initially hesitant about boxing, has become his rock, praying for his success, managing his nutrition, and serving as his personal assistant. Soja credits his wife for keeping him grounded, saying, “My wife can do anything any woman can do, so I just put it in mind that my wife is enough for me.”

Soja’s biggest victory to date came against Kakembo Elijah, whom he knocked out in their professional rematch. This triumph solidified his position in the heavyweight division and fueled his ambition to raise the Ugandan flag globally. Inspired by Mike Tyson’s fearless attitude and explosive punching power, Soja believes in his own potential for greatness.

As a role model for East Africa, Soja feels proud to inspire others with his love for boxing. He hopes to travel to major countries in 2024, showcasing his skills and putting Ugandan boxing on the map. With his sights set on becoming a champion, Soja remains focused, saying, “I want to be a great champion, and I believe I can achieve it.”