UBF is becoming very diabolical

By James Lwanga

Describing the Uganda Boxing Federation as diabolical could easily be taken as an overstatement, but that is what UBF is; at least judging from the recent happenings in the federation.

From glaring laxity, extreme high-handedness and questionable financial dealings; the boxing federation has been busy pressing the self-destruct button!

Key men — Kenneth Gimugu the president and vice president James Sekajugo have left the ailing ship to sink. Their contribution to managing UBF affairs is shrouded in mystery.

No one is sure of what they are up to.

Things have become so bad for the boxers that failing to make the required weight can easily attract a fi ne of $700 (sh2.45m)! Ask Juma Fazil Kaggwa who has tasted the full wrath of this high-handedness. Where do you expect a poor amateur Ugandan boxer to get that kind of money from? Is that kind of punishment meant to help him reform or to bury his boxing career?

It has come to light that UBF failed in their obligation of adequately preparing Kaggwa which led to his failure to make the right weight. They in turn slapped him with a heavy fi ne.

Other boxers who have well documented discipline issues have been handled with kid gloves.

Atanus Mugerwa and Ronald Serugo have been on a five-year sabbatical in Europe after disappearing from the country mysteriously in 2011.

The two received a red carpet welcome into the Bombers squad and they travelled to Cameroon to represent Uganda in the Olympic qualifiers.

This reminds me of the parable of the Prodigal Son in the Bible!