Lukanga receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Real Stars

Sam 'Don King' Lukanga, a local amateur boxing philanthropist and promoter, has been acknowledged by the organizers of the Real Stars Awards for his unwavering dedication to the sport.

Lukanga received a lifetime achievement award for his engagement in the sport, which has seen the Lukanga Boxing Club, which he leads, dominate domestic tournaments for many years.

Lukanga, who has been in the sports circles for over 30 years and was once a KCC FC team manager, received the award from Real Stars Awards CEO Isaac Mukasa at Lazio Restaurant in Kololo on Tuesday.

Real Stars Awardees Sam Lukanga (left), Israel Makokha (3rd left), and Paul Mucureezi (2nd right) pose with Real Stars Awards CEO Isaac Mukasa (2nd left), Fortebet's Mbatidde Namugema (center), Fred Kisseka (3rd right) and Jude Colour Solutions' Henry Zzimbe at Lazio Restaurant. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Mukasa said they zeroed in on him for his outstanding contribution to boxing, where his various clubs have produced outstanding pugilists for the country.

“It is surprising but an honour to receive this recognition in the boxing circles. I’m the first to win it but we are still working hard to grow the sport. Last year alone we won six titles four times, we have won eight belts from the Champions League and many more, so we are still working for more success,” Lukanga said.

He said he has over 3000 trophies in his cabinet. He thanked the press, the UBF and all the clubs for raising the profile of the sport

“I cannot forget our fallen coach Zebra Ssenyange, who is the reason I’m winning this. We not only train boxers but we feed and look after them, and they are more disciplined than the footballers; they are more flanker,”

Lukanga said his passion for boxing sprang from former world champion Mohamed Ali's stories, which inspired him to love the sport.

Boxing promoter Sam Lukanga (centre) and his wife Eve pose with his Lifetime Achievement Award alongside Real Stars Awards CEO Isaac Mukasa (2nd right) at Lazio Restaurant, April 8, 2025. Left is the team manager Daniel Musanja and right is Gideon Kabanda. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

NEC FC striker Paul Mucureezi, German-based welterweight boxer Muzamir Kakande, and Victoria University Sharks rugby player Israel Makokha were also recognized for their excellent performance in March. Kakande beat Briton Dan Toward in a super welterweight bout in the UK while Mucureezi starred for his side in the Uganda Premier League as Makokha stood out for the Sharks in the rugby league.

“I’m excited to have won this award I thank the organisers and the sponsors of the award. I’m still representing well, and my dream is to win a world championship; I’m already back in camp preparing for the next fight,” Kakande vowed via voice mail. He was nominated alongside Ronald Nsamba and Shakir Musa.

Mucureezi’s contribution has kept his side in the title chase with Vipers and he says the award is a motivator and an inspiration for them to continue working hard.

“Winning such awards is not easy, but I was born a winner, and I know there is more to come in the future. It is all about teamwork, and this will inspire my fellow players to aim for the same. Personally, I’m a focused player who knows what I want, and it is the reason I have kept my performances at the top, and I will continue to push to win my fifth UPL medal,” Mucureezi stated.

For Makokha, winning the award means making progress, which calls for even more work for him and teammates.