Iganga 256 Boxing Club emerged as the overall winner of the inaugural Busoga Boxing Championship after a series of thrilling bouts held at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe, Jinja City.
The championship, organized by Busoga Kingdom, attracted boxing enthusiasts from across the region and marked a significant milestone in efforts to revive and promote the sport in Busoga.
Held on March 7, the first edition of the championship brought together more than 100 amateur boxers, both male and female, competing in various weight categories.
At the end of the event, Iganga 256 Boxing Club claimed the overall championship trophy while Kakira Boxing Club finished in second place.
The tournament was organized through a partnership between Busoga Kingdom, the Uganda Boxing Federation and the National Council of Sports, with the aim of nurturing boxing talent and restoring the region’s reputation as a breeding ground for fighters.
Presiding over the event on behalf of the Kyabazinga, Busoga Kingdom’s State Minister for Sports Daniel Musota applauded the boxers for turning up in large numbers and showcasing their skills.
Musota said the championship was part of deliberate efforts to revive Busoga’s legacy in boxing, noting that the region previously produced renowned fighters who represented Uganda on the international stage.
“This event is aimed at revamping Busoga’s footprint in boxing. The region used to be a powerhouse of renowned boxers like Kassim Ouma and others, so we need to promote that talent,” Musota said.
He also assured participants that all boxers who took part in the competition would receive certificates of participation as recognition for their involvement and commitment to the sport.
Musota further revealed that the championship will become a regular sporting event on the kingdom’s calendar, with the next edition scheduled for November this year.
“This first edition was supposed to take place in 2025 but due to unavoidable challenges it did not happen and was pushed to this year. We shall therefore organize another edition of the Busoga Boxing Championship in November,” he explained.
The President of the Uganda Boxing Federation, Moses Muhangi, commended the Kyabazinga and the Busoga Kingdom leadership for initiating the championship and supporting the development of boxing in the region.
Muhangi said the federation provided technical support to ensure the competition met proper sporting standards, including deploying professional referees and medical personnel.
“We have been part of the organizing committee and provided technical support through the medical team and professional referees,” Muhangi noted.
He added that the championship had revealed promising talent among young fighters and called on sponsors and stakeholders to support boxing development across the country.
“I have been watching the boxers while in the ring and I have seen promising talent. They just need good coaches and opportunities for development so that we can nurture them,” he said.
Muhangi also appealed to the government, particularly the National Council of Sports, to improve infrastructure needed for the sport to grow, noting that the boxing ring used during the championship was outdated.
“I have been told that the boxing ring we are using today was purchased during the regime of Idi Amin, which shows how old it is. We need new rings because it is impossible to develop boxing without proper facilities. Government is developing stadiums and should also invest in boxing rings,” he said.
His message was echoed by former Uganda boxing captain Abdu Tebazalwa, who emphasized the importance of training more professional coaches across the country.
Tebazalwa said skilled and professional coaches are essential for nurturing boxers and improving the competitiveness of the sport both nationally and internationally.
“Professional coaches are key pillars in professionalizing boxing. We therefore need more training for coaches and more competitions for the boxers because Uganda has immense talent in boxing,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Assistant Secretary General in charge of Technical Affairs at the National Council of Sports, Milton Chebet, commended Busoga for consistently producing talented athletes across various sports disciplines.
Chebet said athletes from the region have represented Uganda in several sports including athletics, boxing and football, making the championship an important platform for identifying emerging talent.
“Busoga has produced many talents in different sports including athletics, boxing and football. Many national teams have athletes from this region, so this initiative by the Kyabazinga is a very good one,” he said.
He also pledged to advocate for improved equipment for boxing, including the purchase of new rings.
“I have heard people saying that the ring being used here dates back to the Amin regime. I have taken note of that and I believe we can include it in the budget so that we buy at least one boxing ring every financial year and distribute them across the country,” Chebet said.
Among those who attended the championship was Ugandan female boxing champion Salima Tibesigwa, accompanied by her manager and several professional boxers who came to witness the event and support the young fighters.
The inaugural Busoga Boxing Championship is expected to become an important platform for identifying emerging boxing talent and strengthening the sport in eastern Uganda and across the country.