UPDF receives Ouma appeal

Jan 27, 2007

THE army will consider deserter Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma’s request for pardon.

By Emmy Allio and Norman Katende

THE army will consider deserter Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma’s request for pardon.

The former child-soldier who has turned his life around with success in the boxing ring, has written an apology to the army.
Army spokesman Maj. Felix Kulayigye confirmed in an interview early this week that Ouma had requested the army to pardon him and they were studying the request.

“The army has received the letter from Ouma requesting to be pardoned so that he comes back in the country. The request is being reviewed, taking into account, that Ouma is an army deserter,” Kulayigye stated.

Kulayigye was being interviewed about a film that Ouma is expected to feature in about child soldiers.

He argued that child soldiers in Uganda are not news since they were identified in the early years of the NRA and put into school.

“Others have completed universities and it’s a pity that Ouma did not use this chance.

“The army recognises Ouma’s contribution to sports when he joined the army boxing club and his contribution to the country. We are studying his request and on this background, he will most probably be pardoned,” Kulayigye added.
Ouma stayed in the US in 1997 when the national boxing team travelled for the World Military Games.

Ouma is a former IBF junior middleweight champion. He recently had a shot at the world title, but was beaten on points by US’ Jermain Taylor.

* Uganda’s leading boxing flag bearers in the World Boxing Council (WBC) have fallen in the new 2007 rating, adds Phillip Corry.
Ouma has fallen to number seven in the Super Welterweight division from number 1.

Oceania-Pacific heavyweight champion Peter “Ishimaru” Okhello, who was recently beaten by WBC heavyweight champion Kazan Oleg Maskaev, fell from number seven to 21. Badru ‘Mr Crush’ Lusambya remains number 25.

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