UBF urges govt to assure boxing fraternity of safety

Following the death of Isaac Ssenyange commonly known as Zebra Mando who was killed in cold blood at his home in Bwaise last Wednesday, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) has come out to request the government for safety among its stakeholders who are currently living in fear.

Apart from Ssenyange, many current or former boxers plus coaches such as Joseph ‘Joey Vegas' Lubega, Robert Mukasa, Mike Kizza, and Mudde Ntambi are reportedly missing. Former world champion Justin Juuko is another who was recently released after being detained for a while.

During a press conference held on Saturday at Kati Kati Restaurant in Kampala, UBF urged the government to give assurance to their stakeholders about their security.

"Government should be free and fair to boxing that has brought the country a lot of prestige. Let's stop victimising boxers without trial. Let the presidential directive on the inquiry on the killing of Zebra Ssenyange be made with insights from the boxing fraternity.

We want to be assured on how safe we are since boxers and coaches countrywide are calling me and other executive members on whether to go back and train if we are targeted," stated UBF president Moses Muhangi.

He also cautioned all boxers and coaches to promote peace as it has always been the way to prove to the people who have a misconception that boxing is a source of violence in the country.

Due to the situation, UBF has decided to postpone the national trials that were scheduled for this month to select the boxers that will represent the country in the Olympic qualifiers due May in France.

"With this kind of situation, we can't hold the event. Much as we are grateful to the President for the efforts he has made, we need to be more transparent in matters that we are concerned about," Muhangi noted.

Juma Nsubuga, the coach of Kyengera Boxing Club in a grieving tone requested the UBF executive to re-register the clubs in Uganda to follow up on the boxers' and coaches' lives both in and outside the ring to prevent them from indulging in unproductive and chaotic acts.

UPDF Boxing Club coach Tonny Ssekabira requested UBF to draw up lists of coaches and boxers (current and former) who can be availed with security.