Lukanga Boxing Club eyes seventh title at National Open Championship finals
Over the past 16 years, only Kampala Boxing Club (KBC) in 2010, East Coast BC in 2014, and KCCA in 2017 have stopped Lukanga from cruising to the championship. UPDF won the 2016 edition, which Lukanga boycotted.
File photo
Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
2026 National Open Boxing Championship Finals
Lugogo, MTN Arena.
Lukanga Boxing Club heads into today’s finals of the 2026 National Open Boxing Championship brimming with confidence as they seek to defend their title for a historic seventh time.
Since KCCA Boxing Club’s galacticos, led by light welterweight Shadir Musa, welterweight David Ssemujju, light heavyweight Reagan Ssimbwa, bantamweight Nasir Bashir, and others, clinched the 2017 National Open Boxing Championship, Lukanga has won every edition held since: 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. The 2020 and 2021 editions were not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past 16 years, only Kampala Boxing Club (KBC) in 2010, East Coast BC in 2014, and KCCA in 2017 have stopped Lukanga from cruising to the championship. UPDF won the 2016 edition, which Lukanga boycotted.
The Najjanankumbi-based club enters the final having fended off pressure from rivals COBAP, UPDF, and Brawn Boxing Club during the quarter-finals and semi-finals, which were boxed at TLC Arena in Kamwokya.
En route to the final, Lukanga BC outclassed many of their opponents, winning a barrage of bouts to put themselves in a comfortable lead ahead of today’s final, scheduled for the MTN Arena in Lugogo.
They head into the decisive final with the most boxers (eight) and the most overall points (38), followed by COBAP with five boxers and 26 points, while UPDF trails in third with four boxers and 24 points.
Their title charge is led by team captain and Alien Skin’s bodyguard, light welterweight Reagan Magumba, along with light middleweight Brian Kidega, middleweight Yannick Monga, cruiserweight Isma Kanyike, and light flyweight Nelson Oloch.
Awaiting them, however, is COBAP’s line-up featuring light welterweight Denis Muleme (son of national team coach Lawrence Kalyango), middleweight Ashraf Mpanga, heavyweight Jonathan Galiwango, super heavyweight Elijah Kakembo, and light welterweight Princess Harze Amutuhire. UPDF’s Hassan Abibu leads the gunmen’s charge.
This year’s National Open Boxing Championship has seen over 500 boxers from 42 clubs compete for honours.
Notable elite boxers who failed to punch their way to the final include 2023 Africa Boxing Championships silver and bronze medalists Wasswa Ssali and Joseph Kalema, as well as UBF Boxing Champions League flyweight gold medalist Moses Kimera, among others.
With pride, legacy, and history on the line, all eyes now turn to Lugogo for what promises to be a thrilling finale.