The national boxing team has vowed to defy the odds and win medals at the ongoing 13th edition of the African Games in Ghana.

The Bombers who comprise seven elite boxers both men and women left the country on March 8, vowing to repeat their 2019 heroics when they topped Uganda's medal charts in Rabat, Morocco.

En route to Ghana, they were joined by Sports Minister Peter Ogwang at Addis Ababa International Airport in Ethiopia.

Their mission starts this March 13, when the draws will be held before the actual box-off that will commence the following day.

Light middleweight Muzamir 'Mr Take Over' Ssemuddu who captains the team in Ghana is confident his troops are ready to punch their way to glory 

"Our mission is to do what we have always done, and it is simple, we want to win medals at the games. I guarantee you we are a solid team that is capable of defeating anyone,"  Ssemuddu noted.

The Kololo High Boxing Club pugilist is also confident Uganda's history in Ghana will also propel them to success.

"Our history in Ghana is also a plus to us. In Ghana, we are home. Remember, the only time the Cranes reached an AFCON Final was in this country. In boxing, we have been winning from there not twice but thrice. I promise that we are coming back with medals," he said.

This year's Africa Games will run from March 8 to 23 in three cities including Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast.

Besides Ssemuddu, others in Ghana include welterweight Owen Kibira a 2022 Africa boxing championship bronze medalist, 2023 Africa Olympic Boxing Qualifiers quarter-finalist in featherweight Kassim Murungi, welterweight Erinah Namutebi who won a silver medal at the 2023 Africa Boxing Championship in Cameroon.

Others are featherweight Sharua Ndagire a quarter-finalist at the same championship in Cameroon and debutants in light welterweight Innocent Amoko and flyweight Innocent Tumusiime.

They are under coach Patrick Lihanda and Juma Nsubuga.

Lihanda who is also the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) vice-president in charge of technical matters believes his squad is capable of winning medals in Ghana.

"I have a mixed team that combines experienced boxers and debutants. I trust them because they are talented, fit, and in are all in good shape".

The bombers will come into this year’s 13th edition of the Africa Games having won three medals, two silver and a bronze of the ten medals overall Uganda finished with at the last edition in Rabat, Morocco.