Captain Batte vows medals as six-member Bombers squad departs for Glasgow
A new generation of the Bombers, the national boxing team, carries the responsibility of upholding that proud legacy at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The national boxing team, the Bombers, representing Uganda at this year's Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Pictured (from left to right): Abdul Aziz Hard 'Azizi Ringo' (grandson of Idi Amin), Nuhu 'Muzaata Batteso' Batte, Ibrahim Kemis, Angel Katushabe, Emily Nakalema, and Alfred 'Gorilla' Ojok during a recent training session at Hamz Stadium gym
When heavyweight George Oywello punched his way to Uganda’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal at the 1962 Perth Games in Australia, he laid the foundation for one of the country’s most successful sporting disciplines.
His historic triumph opened the floodgates for Ugandan boxing, which has gone on to become one of the nation’s most dependable medal-winning sports on the international stage for more than six decades.
Now, a new generation of the Bombers, the national boxing team, carries the responsibility of upholding that proud legacy at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Uganda has entered a six-member boxing team comprising four men and two women, all hoping to add to the country's rich Commonwealth boxing legacy.
The men's team is led by captain and welterweight Nuhu ‘Muzaata Batteso’ Batte, alongside lightweight Ibrahim Kemis, light heavyweight Alfred ‘Gorilla’ Ojok, and heavyweight Abdul Azizi Hard, alias Azizi Ringo, grandson of former Ugandan president Idi Amin.
They are joined by the women's side, the She Bombers, captained by welterweight Emily Nakalema and flyweight Angel Katushabe.
Lukanga Boxing Club’s head coach Twaibu Mayanja and KCCA BC’s coach Hassan Kaliri will be the two Bombers' gaffers to guide the team at ringside, with Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president Moses Muhangi completing Uganda’s boxing delegation in Glasgow.
High expections
Since Uganda made its Commonwealth Games debut in 1954, the country has won an impressive 58 medals, with boxing contributing 35 of them, the highest by any Ugandan sport.
Those 35 medals comprise nine gold, ten silver, and sixteen bronze, underlining boxing’s status as Uganda’s most successful discipline at the Games, ahead of athletics.
Muhangi believes this year's squad has what it takes to continue that tradition.
“The six Bombers representing us at this CWGs are the best we have in the country. I have closely followed their preparations and training, and I strongly believe they are capable of returning home with three or even four medals,” Muhangi told Vision Sport before the team departed for Glasgow on Tuesday, July 21.
Bombers' captain Nuhu Batte is optimistic that his troops will deliver at all costs.
“We understand the magnitude of the challenge ahead of us, but we are a team built on talent, hard work, and belief. We are determined to make Uganda proud, and I am confident we shall return home with medals,” Batte said.
Commonwealth legacy
Uganda and Scotland share some unforgettable memories in CWGs history.
The country's greatest boxing performance came at the 1970 Edinburgh CWGs, where Uganda punched its way to five medals.
Then-light flyweight James Odwori, lightweight Mohamed Muruli, and heavyweight Benson Masanda clinched gold apiece, while flyweight Leo Rwabwogo and featherweight Deogratius Musoke settled for silver.
More recently, despite the administrative turmoil that plagued Ugandan boxing during the tenure of former UBF president Kenneth Gimugu, the Bombers still managed to shine at the 2014 Glasgow CWGs.
On that occasion, heavyweight Mike Ssekabembe and flyweight Fazil Juma won two bronze medals, while bantamweight Rodgers Semitala narrowly missed out on a medal by a whisker.