A deal for the newly constructed Nakivubo Stadium to host continental and world boxing events has been signed, sealed, and endorsed.

This comes after businessman Hajji Hamis Kiggundu, the man behind the multi-million-dollar facility and Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop the sport.

The development was announced during the official opening of Ham Fitness and Boxing Gym.

The gym is part of a newly constructed multi-purpose stadium that has football, basketball, netball, and volleyball, among others.

“We have officially opened the Ham Fitness and Boxing Gym. Our equipment has a modern ring, punching bags, body rider machines, and gym wear, among others that are world-class”. Kiggundu noted.

“My dream is to see Ugandans utilize Nakivubo Stadium to the fullest. This is why soon we will host world-class boxing events and continental championships here in our country.”

Muhangi hailed Kiggundu for his relentless investment in the sports sector, more so boxing.

“Many of the things Ham is doing are supposed to be done by the Government. He has given Nakivubo Stadium a magnificent look. As Uganda, we must celebrate him for his mass investment.”

“I commend him for keeping boxing into the plans of the stadium. Nakivubo Stadium has a rich history with boxing and has groomed many of our boxing greats.”

Nakivubo Stadium and boxing are inseparable.

It dates back to the 1950s when former National Boxing team coach Tom Kawere (rip) started Uganda’s oldest boxing club, Kampala Boxing Club commonly known as KBC at Nakivubo Stadium.

It is KBC that groomed Uganda’s boxing greats such as Peter Grace Sseruwagi (rip), world champions Ayub Kalule and John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi, Badru ‘Mr Crush’ Lusambya, USA-based duo of Sharif ‘The Lion’ Bogere and Sula Segawa among others.

The stadium has in the past also hosted continental boxing championships both in open boxing (amateur) and in the pro ranks.

The fight that stands out includes Justin ‘The Destroyer’ Jjuuko’s 1999 famous knockout against Kenya’s David Ouma that made him crowned the ABU Africa super lightweight title.

Jjuuko hosted five other world-class events here that also included his 1997 WBC International super featherweight title fight against Ukrainian Volodymyr Matkivskyy, which he went on to win.

Godfrey Nyakana’s 2003 shock loss to Tanzania’s Oswald Maneno was also hosted by Nakivubo Stadium.

Farouk Daku’s win against Hungarian Jozsef Kormany in 2016 was the last boxing event to be hosted by Nakivubo Stadium before it was demolished to be re-constructed.

And according to Muhangi, current boxers must utilize the newly constructed gym to punch their way to the world stage.