What next for UPBC as Uhuru steps aside as president?

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In the red corner stands the newly formed Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) Professional Licensing Committee, facing off against the long-established Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) in the blue corner.

Since President Museveni signed the 2023 National Sports Act on August 17, 2023, the two boxing bodies have been locked in a power struggle.

With the new Sports Act in play, UPBC’s future hangs in the balance, raising a critical question among Uganda’s boxing stakeholders—what’s next for UPBC?

Uhuru Steps Aside

On February 8, 2025, Kampala Central Division Mayor Salim Uhuru, who has served as UPBC president since March 2018, stepped down. His four-year term had expired in 2022, but he had remained at the helm.

Salim Uhuru (right) handing over sh5m to boxer Abdul Sebute previously, on his left is Moureen Mulangira and Nara Boxing promoter Hussein Babu. (Photo by Fred Kisekka)

Announcing his departure at Club Obligato, Uhuru cited his desire to focus on his political career.

“I have served UPBC to my full capacity and it is the right time to quit. I have an overload of work, and I want to invest my time and energy to prepare for the forthcoming 2026 general elections,” Uhuru told the media at his offices in Mukwano Mall, Kampala.

His exit is a major blow to UPBC as it struggles to fend off UBF’s growing influence over professional boxing.

The interim committee

Before leaving, Uhuru endorsed a seven-member interim committee to oversee the sport for the next three months.

The committee is chaired by renowned boxing promoter Eddie Bazira of Baltic Pro Boxing. Other members include Simon Katongole and Abbey Mugayi (Uhuru’s former first and second vice presidents), along with Emmanuel Mwesigwa, Paul Mutebe, Joshua Ssewankambo, and Vincent Kirago.

Bazira outlined their mandate. “Our task is to run the sport for the next three months, review and amend UPBC’s constitution to fit the new Sports Act, and to organise UPBC’s general meeting that will spearhead fresh elections.”

Mulangira Ousted

Notably absent from the interim committee is Moureen Mulangira, the first-ever Africa Boxing Union (ABU) female general secretary and a World Boxing Council (WBC) board member in charge of boxer rankings.

Mulangira, who previously served as UPBC’s treasurer, was reportedly dropped due to her alleged ties with UBF president Moses Muhangi, Uhuru’s rival.

Speaking to Vision Sport, Mulangira dismissed her removal.

“No one can fire me from boxing. But I can’t serve in an illegal body. My colleagues from UPBC must accept that either we abide by the new Sports Act or we are thrown into the dustbin.”

The Legal Landscape

UPBC has operated professional boxing as a limited company since 1988. However, the 2023 National Sports Act, under section 16.1(d), grants recognised federations and associations the authority to manage both amateur and professional sports.

UBF president Moses Muhangi maintains that his organisation had already prepared for this transition.

“UBF moved fast before our president signed the new Sports Act. Section 11.4.2(e) of our 2022 amended constitution puts in place a professional boxing licensing committee that is going to replace UPBC,” Muhangi said.

For the Act to take full effect, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang is required to sign new statutory instruments under section 1(2). Additionally, section 7 mandates all federations and associations to undergo fresh registration with the National Council of Sports.

Should UBF meet all the compliance requirements, UPBC could soon find itself sidelined.