UBF Develop a Good Father Traits, Waive off Sanction Fees to Encourage More Boxing Events
By Kayiira Jackson
The Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kamwokya as part of ongoing efforts to reorganize and strengthen professional boxing in the country.
The engagement attracted 35 participants drawn from the professional boxing community, including promoters, managers and match-makers. The meeting was called by UBF president Moses Muhangi to brief stakeholders on their obligations and operational requirements under the National Sports Act 2023.
Officials from the federation’s executive committee attended the meeting alongside members of the UBF Professional Boxing Commission chaired by Maureen Mulangira, a former boxer, promoter and manager who also serves as an executive member of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
A key highlight of the meeting was the issuance of operational licenses to stakeholders who had applied in accordance with the provisions of the new sports law. Eight boxing promotion companies, 15 individual promoters, three match-makers and eight athlete managers received one-year renewable licenses to operate professional boxing activities.
Mulangira used the meeting to challenge members of the boxing fraternity to put the interests of the sport above personal disagreements.
“We should avoid pushing selfish interests. It is contradictory for people to claim that UBF lacks the capacity to supervise professional boxing events when some of the same individuals who previously ran those events are now working within the federation,” she said.
She also urged government authorities to provide firm guidance to help end the persistent disputes affecting boxing administration.
“Some promoters who are constantly criticizing the federation should focus on improving themselves. We need proper systems and regulation. I appeal to the Sports Minister and the National Council of Sports to take a decisive stance rather than fueling conflicts through informal channels. As stakeholders, we must work together for the growth of boxing,” Mulangira added.
To encourage more activity in the professional boxing scene, Muhangi announced a number of incentives for promoters. The federation has waived sanctioning fees for boxing events and boxer licensing fees for a period of one year. In addition, licensed promoters will be allowed to use a federation boxing ring free of charge for events sanctioned by UBF.
According to Muhangi, the initiative is intended to stimulate the organization of more professional boxing events across the country.
“These waivers are meant to motivate promoters to stage more events. We are also encouraged to see a new generation of promoters entering the sport with better organization and business understanding, which is important for the development of professional boxing,” he noted.
He further stressed that organizing professional boxing events should remain open to anyone who meets the regulatory requirements.
“Promoting boxing events is not reserved for specific individuals. Anyone can organize a professional boxing event as long as they are licensed or working under a licensed promotion company,” Muhangi explained.
Despite receiving invitations, officials associated with the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) did not attend the meeting. Interim chairman Eddy Bazira said their group would only participate if invited as the recognized regulators of professional boxing.
However, the enactment of the National Sports Act 2023 placed both amateur and professional boxing under the authority of the Uganda Boxing Federation, effectively dissolving UPBC’s regulatory role. Members of the group have since submitted several petitions to the sports minister requesting recognition as professional boxing regulators instead of joining UBF through its existing structures as the officially recognized governing body for the sport in Uganda.