UBU loses fight to sanction professional bouts

By Swalley Kenyi 

GOVERNMENT has dismissed Uganda Boxing Union a day after the body had announced that they would stage World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa and WBC Middle East super middleweight title fights in Kampala. 

UBU, led by Godfrey Kiwanuka, is the second professional boxing sanctioning body in the country. It was formed last year by disgruntled boxing enthusiasts, who have disagreed with Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) before they broke away. UBU is affiliated to World Boxing Organisation. 

UPBC is headed by Bbosa Kiyingi. 

In a letter to National Council of Sports, state sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi ruled that UBU must not sanction professional fights but only promote them under UPBC. 

“We cannot have two parallel bodies sanctioning (professional) boxing in this country. That way we will only be promoting divisions among sports governing bodies. UBU can be promoters but not at the same (regulatory) level with UPBC,” Bakkabulindi said when contacted. 

UBU expects to stage bouts featuring Ugandans heavyweight Kenneth Odeke and super middleweight Haruna ‘Bana Bana’ Ddiba that could put the boxers in line for major world titles if they win their fights on April 26.

While a section of the sports fraternity is applauding the minister for finally taking a decisive stand in trying to resolve the divisions in boxing, UBU officials have threatened to go to court to overturn his ruling. 

“Ours (UBU) is purely business. I do not expect anything from NCS or the government but rather pay tax to them. We shall challenge that decision in courts of law because they are sabotaging business,” a UBU official Emmanuel Mwesigwa said when contacted for comment. 

Odeke will face Iranian Sayed Abbas Nassab in a World Boxing Federation (WBF) Africa contest, while Bana Bana takes on another Iranian Govad Zovarhend in a WBC Middle East title fight at Katikati Restaurant the same night.