DAILY MIRRORUG sports
October 2026
Uganda’s national boxing team, the Bombers, was flagged off for the 2026 African Boxing Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, with the government urging the fighters to deliver medals and use the continental competition as a stepping stone towards the 2028 Olympic Games.
The team was flagged off on Wednesday, October 14, by National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel at Cooper Chimney in Lugogo, Kampala, ahead of the championship scheduled to run from October 15 to 28 at Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.
The 28-member delegation comprises 18 boxers, three coaches, two referees and five officials, with Uganda represented by 10 male and eight female fighters.
Ogwel challenged the athletes to demonstrate discipline, determination and commitment as they take on some of the continent’s finest boxers.
He emphasised that the team should not concentrate only on winning medals in Nairobi but also look at the bigger picture of preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The NCS chief said the championship offers an important opportunity for Uganda’s boxers to gain international experience and strengthen their preparations for future competitions.
Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi, who attended the flag-off, also urged the fighters to take the competition seriously and return with medals.
The Nairobi championship is considered an important stage in Uganda’s preparations for the African Olympic boxing qualification campaign.
Uganda sends 18 boxers
The Bombers’ squad is led by men’s captain Ukasha Matovu and women’s captain Diana Atwine.
The men’s team includes Bruno Kakande, Sam Nsubuga, Khassim Mulungi, Innocent Amoko, Alfred Ojok, Richard Kasujja, Arafat Kibirige, Ringo Aziiz and Emmanuel Tabule.
The women’s team features Rashidah Nalwooza, Brendah Muduwa, Peninah Amoding, Fatuma Nabikolo, Vanessa Nagawa, Erina Namutebi and Jesca Akello, alongside captain Atwine.
The team is coached by Lawrence Kalyango, Akram Ssenvewo and Eric Nyeko.
Equipment boost ahead of competition
The team also received an equipment boost from Multi Sports Centre under a two-year partnership with the Uganda Boxing Federation.
The support is expected to strengthen the Bombers’ preparations for the championships and other competitions, including the Boxing Champions League.
The partnership was unveiled in Kampala, with UBF president Moses Muhangi representing the federation and Multi Sports Centre managing director Ghulam Rabbani representing the company.
Boxing leadership dispute
The flag-off also came amid ongoing disagreements over the leadership and administration of Ugandan boxing.
Ogwel warned rival groups against challenging the recognised leadership of the Uganda Boxing Federation, saying authorities would use the law to address the dispute.
The development comes as Uganda’s boxing fraternity faces divisions involving different groups and international boxing organisations.
Despite the disagreements, the Bombers’ participation in Nairobi provides an opportunity for the selected athletes to compete internationally and represent Uganda at the continental level.
Uganda’s medal ambition
Uganda enters the championship hoping to build on its previous continental performances, including the seven medals won at the 2023 African Boxing Championships in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The Bombers’ participation in Nairobi is also expected to provide valuable competitive experience as the country prepares for the next stages of international boxing.
With the championship running until October 28, Uganda’s fighters will be looking to translate their preparations at Lugogo into strong performances inside the ring.
The team’s mission is to represent Uganda, compete against Africa’s best and return with medals while building towards the 2028 Olympic Games.
