Six Bombers to make final cut as Uganda intensifies Commonwealth Games preparations

Uganda's national boxing team, the Bombers, has intensified preparations for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2 in Scotland.

The new-look Bombers squad is currently undergoing intense training at Hamz Fitness Gym, located at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo, under the guidance of co-coaches Twaibu Mayanja and Lawrence Kalyango, also known as Coach Lora.

Out of the eight boxers currently in training, only six will make the final cut for Glasgow, following the six boxing slots allocated to the team by the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC).

Confirmed boxers for the games include Brawn Boxing Club's Alfred "Gorilla" Ojok, who clinched the inaugural IBA Champions Night middleweight title in 2024. He is joined by Kololo BC's heavyweight Aziz Ringo, grandson of former Ugandan President Idi Amin; Katwe Combined BC and She Bombers captain, welterweight Emily Nakalema; and University of Pain BC's light flyweight Angel Katushabe.

Pending confirmation are COBAP BC's welterweight Nuhu "Muzaata" Batte, who awaits an elimination trial with Kololo BC's Farahat "The Nightmare" Manirola, while Kibuli Mutajazi's lightweight Ibrahim Kemisi is set for another elimination trial with Uganda Police BC's Shafic Nasasira.

Ringo, who won Uganda gold at last year's Zone Three Africa Boxing Championships in Nairobi, has vowed to clinch another medal in Glasgow.

"Making it to the final list for the Glasgow games is a dream come true in my boxing career. My target is to return home with another gold. And just like my grandfather Amin used to tell boxers, I'm going for knockouts," Ringo said.

Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) President Moses has expressed confidence in the team's chances, saying all the boxers currently in camp have the ability to punch their way to the medal bracket.

"It is painful that we have to choose the best six out of the eight in camp. Actually, I would have preferred to take full teams of both men and women, but the limited resources from UOC and the National Council of Sports couldn't allow us," he said.

Boxing has been allocated nine slots by the UOC for the Glasgow Games, including six athletes, one coach, and two officials.

Overall, Uganda is set to field over 50 athletes for the games. Athletics will take the lion's share with 16 athletes, followed by the She Cranes netball team with 12, boxing with 6, basketball (3x3) with 4, para powerlifting with 4, weightlifting with 3, para athletics with 2, judo with 2, and track cycling with 1.