Uganda enjoyed a strong start to the AIBA African Olympic Qualification Event ©Getty Images

Uganda enjoyed a strong start to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) African Olympic Qualification Event as two of their three boxers won their bouts convincingly on the opening day of competition in Yaoundé.

Sulaiman Segawa got his nation off to an ideal start at the Paposy boxing venue in Cameroon’s capital city, as the under 60 kilogram lightweight saw off the challenge of Botswana’s Kabelo Stephan Bagwasi.

The Ugandan fighter was awarded a unanimous points victory at the end of the encounter, with each of the judges giving him the contest 29:28.

Tunisia’s Shili Alaa, who competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, was also triumphant at the weight by overcoming Cape Verde's Alex Varela via a unanimous points verdict.

A second Ugandan victory came in the under 81kg light heavyweight division as Kennedy Katende defeated the Ivory Coast’s Yoada Aboubacar on points, with two judges giving him the contest 30:27.

The final judge awarded him the win by a 30:26 margin.

The second preliminary event in the division saw Seychelles’ Jovette Nicole Jude Jean defeat Cape Verde's Lopes Borges, with all of the judges giving him the verdict 29:28.

In the 91kg heavyweight division, Nigeria’s Efetobor Wesley Apochi overcame Morocco’s Abdeljalil Abouhamda unanimously, while Ghana’s David Akankolim earned a technical knock-out win over Uganda’s Willy Kyakonye.

Cuba's Robeisy Ramírez won gold at London 2012 and began his campaign to compete at Rio 2016 impressively
Cuba's Robeisy Ramírez won gold at London 2012 and began his campaign to compete at Rio 2016 impressively ©Getty Images

The continent’s best male and female boxers will be competing for 36 qualification places - 30 men’s and six women’s - at Rio 2016.

However, Tanzania have been forced to withdraw from the competition due to a lack of funds.

The American Olympic Qualification Event has also got underway at the Predio Ferial la Rural de Palermo in Argentina's capital Buenos Aires, with 25 quota places for men and five for women up for grabs.

Cuba’s Robeisy Ramírez, who won Olympic gold in the flyweight event at London 2012, began his pursuit of a Rio 2016 berth impressively in the under 56kg bantamweight division.

The 22-year-old brushed aside the challenge of Panama’s Rafael Pedroza, triumphing via a unanimous points decision from the judges.

Pedro Lima, a Pan American Games champion at Rio 2007, will be looking to perform in front of a home crowd again later this year.

The Brazilian began his under 75kg middleweight campaign impressively by defeating Argentina’s Angel Joaquin Lingua on points, while Colombia’s Jorge Luis Vivas Palacios earned a technical knock-out win over Belize’s Allan Geban.