Tamale to pursue weightlifting dream with new artificial limb

I didn’t know this would become a reality but I thank God and everyone that has walked this very difficult journey with me.” These were some of words a smiling Safalu Tamale said as he made remarks to the media after getting his prosthetic leg fitted at CoRSU Rehabilitation Centre, a specialized surgical hospital in Kisubi, Entebbe  early this week.

His leg may have been shattered, but his will and resolve remains unshaken. Bodybuilder Safalu Tamale, who lost his right leg to a Bodaboda accident early this year as this paper reported says he is still eyeing the coveted Mr Uganda title despite the new handicap.

All-important limb
 “I am happy that I have gotten a new limb that can support me to train again. This limb can do everything that I need to in the gym like squats and lifting weights,” Tamale, who was in high spirits,  told Daily Monitor.
“I am returning to compete again. I am very optimistic that I will give other body builders a run for their money,” he added.

According to Jamaima Naluggya, an orthopedic technologist at CoRSU who was in charge of fabricating his limb as well as his rehabilitation, Tamale has maintained a positive attitude towards life and she is hopeful that he will fully recover and indeed continue to carry on his duties.

“During his training, we tried doing squats and he managed it well with his new limb. Tamale’s artificial limb is capable of doing heavy duty work including gym activities,” Naluggya further revealed.

On February 28, 2020, Tamale, who says is lucky to be alive, was involved in an accident when a Boda-boda he was travelling on failed to brake in time and crashed in-between two commuter taxis. He came out with a double fractured leg. Despite seeking treatment at several hospitals, the leg could not be saved and had to be amputated after getting gangrenous.

Support from University of Pain
With bills pilling up, Tamale reached out to colleagues and well-wishers for aid. Among those who heeded the call was University of Pain, a charity organization supporting local athletes who arranged for him to receive treatment at CoRSU rehabilitation hospital

“Tamale was a colleague at University of Pain. When we learned that he was seeking treatment and looking for financial aid, we came through to support him,” Akuha Milton, manager at University of Pain said. “This is not the end of our support. When he finally gets better, we will offer him employment as a gym instructor and also continue to support his endeavors as a bodybuilder.”

Tamale has been a professional bodybuilder for three years. He competed in the Mr Uganda 2019 championship lightweight category where he emerged third

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