National Council of Sports (NCS) general secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel has issued a stern warning to factions challenging the recognised leadership of the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF), declaring that the government is prepared to use the law to resolve the sport’s persistent governance disputes.
Ogwel warned that individuals or groups seeking to operate outside the recognised federation, or claiming the mandate to represent Uganda independently, would face action as authorities move to restore order in the sport.
He delivered the warning on Wednesday at Copper Chimney, Lugogo, while flagging off Uganda’s contingent for the Africa Boxing Championship scheduled for October 15–28 at Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, Kenya.
“We have had a big challenge in the game of boxing; everyone wants to be the president. But I want to tell you that there is only one president at a go,” Ogwel said.
He signalled a tougher approach to the ongoing leadership wrangles, suggesting that the authorities had exhausted their patience with the persistent disputes.
“To the extent we have gone, we’re now going to start biting, and when we say biting, we are going to use the law,” he added.
Ogwel further warned against parallel groups claiming the authority to represent Uganda internationally, insisting that the government recognises UBF as the country’s sole governing body for boxing.
“When I hear that there is another group that is going to represent Uganda, I am telling you, we’re starting with that group. We have only one federation that is recognised by the government of Uganda,” he said.
His remarks come amid an ongoing dispute involving the Friends of Boxing faction, which has challenged UBF’s leadership and its authority to administer the sport.
The NCS general secretary’s intervention signals the government’s determination to resolve the impasse through legal channels while safeguarding the federation’s recognised mandate.
Beyond the governance concerns, Ogwel urged Uganda’s boxers to approach the Nairobi championship with a broader objective, describing the competition as an important step in the country’s preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
He cautioned the team against measuring success solely by the number of medals won in Kenya, insisting that the ultimate ambition should be to deliver results on the Olympic stage.
“What is important is that we’re starting on the journey of the Africa Championship and a road to the Olympic Games in 2028 in LA.
So I don’t want you to look for only the medals; look beyond that because we want you to get us a medal at the bigger stage,” Ogwel said.
He also commended UBF president Moses Muhangi for keeping boxers active despite the administrative challenges confronting the sport.
“I want to thank the Boxing Federation president for promoting the game of boxing amidst all the challenges. I want to thank you particularly for making the boxers busy by giving them what to do,” he added.
Muhangi, meanwhile, challenged the national team to return from Nairobi with medals, stressing the importance of taking the continental competition seriously as Uganda builds towards the next Olympic cycle.
“We’re asking you to go and bring medals. Take this tournament very seriously because it’s the precursor for the Olympic 2028 qualifier,” Muhangi said.
Uganda is represented by 18 boxers — 10 men and eight women — within a 28-member delegation travelling by road to Nairobi aboard a Mosaic bus.
The team was scheduled to depart on Wednesday afternoon and will compete against representatives from at least 35 countries at the championship, which offers the Ugandan contingent an opportunity to assess its competitive strength against some of the continent’s leading boxing nations.
Uganda’s travelling squad
Men
Bruno Kakande — Flyweight (50kg)
Samuel Nsubuga — Bantamweight
Khassim Mulungi — Lightweight (60kg)
Innocent Amoko — Welterweight (65kg)
Ukasha Matovu — Light Middleweight (70kg)
Alfred Ojok — Middleweight (75kg)
Richard Kasuja — Light Heavyweight (80kg)
Arafat Kibirige — Cruiserweight (85kg)
Ringo Aziiz — Heavyweight (90kg)
Emmanuel Tabule — Super Heavyweight (90kg+)
Women
Rashida Nakawoza — Light Flyweight (48kg)
Brendah Muduwa — Flyweight (51kg)
Peninah Amoding — Bantamweight (54kg)
Vanessa Nagawa — Featherweight (57kg)
Fatuma Nabikolo — Lightweight (60kg)
Erina Namutebi — Welterweight (65kg)
Diana Atwine — Heavyweight (81kg)
Technical and administrative officials
Lawrence Kalyango — Head Coach
Akram Ssenvewo
Eric Nyeko
Ramadhan Sseguya
Hassan Abdu Asuni
Phillip Munaabi — UBF Official
Ibrahim Sekiziyu
Phiona Nayebare
Keneth Ruyondo
Isma Mbabazi — Media Attaché
Stephen Tulibagenyi — Referee
Ronald Samuel Kasirye — Referee
