By Silvano Kibuuuka

Uganda Boxing Union (UBU) has gone a step ahead by securing insurance cover for boxers while in the ring as a way of promoting the level of professional boxing in the country.

UBU vice chairman Benjamin Mukasa revealed this at Lugogo Indoor Stadium at the non-title fight that saw Ugandan heavyweight Kenneth Odeke knockout Tanzanian Ashraf Suleiman in the second round.

“There were incidences that boxers would get injured and there is no follow up. We have now had full insurance for them to cover for injuries sustained during our fights,” said Mukasa.

An injury scare blotted a fight organised by UBU on November 30, 2012 at Lugogo when Kenyan boxer Henry Wanyama was knocked out by Wycliffe Muwanga and rushed unconscious to Mulago National Referral hospital before proceeding back home.

Then again during a highly charged fight between Zebra Senyange and Haruna Banabana, one Edwin Semanda a corner man for Banabana was struck by a flying object while at the ring side and could not be assisted due to lack of insurance.

National Council of Sports General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa has insisted that all boxing events at Lugogo should have in place measures for proper medical care in addition to maximum security.