Joseph Kiwanuka sits in an extended-stay hotel room in December. The former fighter had been diagnosed with "traumatic cataracts," an injury caused by absorbing punches in the boxing ring. He was in need of surgery on both eyes. View photo »

Joseph chats with cornerman Rafael Garcia during a last visit to Top Rank Gym, where he used to train. At left is heavyweight boxer Duncan Dokiwari, who represented Nigeria in the 1996 Olympics. Thanks to donations from the local boxing community and pro bono medical services, Kiwanuka was able to have eye surgery and return to his home in Uganda. View photo »

Joseph Kiwanuka, left, visits with trainer Jeff Mayweather during a last visit to Top Rank gym where he used to train. Jeff Mayweather is an uncle to WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather. View photo »

Joseph reads letters from a chart at Silver State Eye Care in March following his surgeries. Before the surgeries, he had 20/400 vision in his right eye and 20/70 vision in the left. After the surgeries, his eyesight improved to 2/40 in both eyes with corrected vision (glasses). View photo »

Brian Higginbotham, left, a technlogist at Silver State Eye Care, helps find Joseph's prescription during a visit to the clinic in March after his eye surgeries. Before the surgeries, Joseph had 20/400 vision in his right eye and 20/70 vision in the left. After the surgeries, his eyesight improved to 2/40 in both eyes with glasses. View photo »

Joseph has a final procedure using a Yag laser to open up the capsule behind his new lens. The procedure keeps the new lens from becoming cloudy. View photo »

Joseph wipes his eyes in the examination room after having his vision tested at Silver State Eye Care. View photo »

UNLV assistant boxing coach Frank Slaughter, at the suggestion of the Ugandan embassy, took Joseph shopping for clothes. After reluctantly trying on suits, Kiwanuka said he just wanted a new pair of jeans. View photo »

Joseph takes a look at a boat engine at the Bass Pro Shops in March. He has said he wants to go fishing when he returns to Uganda, which borders Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. View photo »

Joseph, right, laughs with his friend Francis Lutaaya before cataracts surgery at the Seven Hills Surgery Center. Lutaaya was Kiwanuka's boxing coach in Uganda and is now a pastor in Washington D.C. View photo »

Dr. Thomas Kelly, right, updates Joseph's friends in the waiting room after cataract surgery on Kiwanuka's left eye at the Seven Hills Surgery Center in December. From left: UNLV assistant boxing coach Frank Slaughter, Geofrey Nsubuga Bwakamba and Francis Lutaaya. Lutaaya was Kiwanuka's boxing coach in Uganda and is now a pastor in Washington D.C. View photo »

Joseph has his left eye prepped for cataract surgery at the Seven Hills Surgery Center in December. View photo »

Dr. Thomas Kelly, left, and surgical technician Cristina Reyes operate on Joseph's left eye at the Seven Hills Surgery Center in December. View photo »

Joseph Kiwanuka listens to Dr. Thomas Kelly of Silver State Eye Care, after cataract surgery on his left eye in December. Kelly and the surgery center provided their services without charge. Kiwanuka later had his right eye done by Kelly and retina specialist Kwang Lee at Sunrise Hospital. The surgery on the right eye has more difficult due to a previous operation that fixed a detached retina. View photo »

Joseph looks over photos of Uganda, including some photos of his relatives, as he waits to visit retina specialist Dr. Kwang Lee. With him from left are Pastor Francis Lutaaya, Michael Karugaba, a representative of the Ugandan embassy in Washington D.C., friend Andrew Nyakana, and Frank Slaughter, UNLV assistant boxing coach. The group made the rounds of doctors and friends thanking them for their help. View photo »

Joseph is thoughtful as he waits for his flight back to Uganda at McCarran International Airport in March. View photo »

Frank Slaughter says his final farewells to Joseph as Joseph boards his flight to Uganda. Slaughter organized the effort to help Joseph get his eye surgeries and return home. View photo »