Uganda's boxing 'rebels' return with shs112.5m and four medals from DR Congo

After two weeks of nonstop action at the 2026 Africa Boxing Championship in DR Congo, Uganda's boxing 'rebel team' returned home with a staggering Shs112.5m in prize money.

The 'boxing rebels', as they are currently known in boxing circles, clinched four medals, including one silver and three bronze, from the championship held at DR Congo's iconic Stade des Martyrs Gymnasium in Kinshasa from October 18 to November 1.

Powered by Friends of Boxing (FOB) and led by former Olympian Sam Rukundo, the nine-member Ugandan contingent left the country against the backdrop of an unprecedented split in Ugandan boxing that resulted in Uganda having two parallel boxing teams from two rival camps at two rival international boxing championships.

While the national team, the Bombers, competed at the inaugural Africa Boxing Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, under the World Boxing (WB) banner, the FOB-backed contingent headed to Kinshasa for the International Boxing Association (IBA)-sanctioned championship.

Despite their off-ring battles, both contingents returned with medals, giving Ugandan boxing something to celebrate.

And just like the triumphant Bombers who delivered 13 medals, including four gold, that cemented Uganda's best-ever performance at the Africa Boxing Championship, the Kinshasa team's return of four medals deserves recognition.

Unlike the Bombers, whose campaign in Nairobi also carried the incentive of accumulating ranking points towards qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Kinshasa team specifically traded blows for the lucrative USD1m prize purse offered by the IBA.

It is such financial rewards that made the Kinshasa championship more competitive.

Leading the 'Uganda boxing rebel team's' charge was towering heavyweight Emmy Abel Ebong, who settled for silver after losing his final to DR Congo's captain and favourite Peter Mpita Kabeji, a two-time Africa Boxing Championship gold medallist.

Ebong's silver medal was complemented by three bronze medals from middleweight Ronald Nsamba, light heavyweight Ronald Wandera, and lightweight Sarah Laker.

The IBA's prize structure offered USD20,000 (approximately Shs90m) to every gold medallist, USD10,000 (Shs45m) to silver medallists, and USD5,000 (Shs22.5m) to each bronze medallist.

For Uganda's case, a return of a whopping Shs112m in prize money from Ebong's silver medal and the bronze medals of Nsamba, Wandera, and Laker was good business.

Beyond the money and medals, the championship also offered boxers valuable international exposure and an opportunity to test themselves against some of the continent's cream of the crop.

"I wanted to go for gold but unfortunately God decided to give me silver. To me, the championship has given us exposure and I wish to avenge my defeat very soon," Ebong, who was born in Gulu District, told Vision Sport shortly after the team's return.