‘UBF Knocks out UPBC’, NCS Cracks Down on ‘Illegal’ Boxing Events, Reaffirms the Sole Governing Body
By Kayiira Jackson
The National Council of Sports (NCS) has issued a firm directive reaffirming the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) as the only legally recognized authority to organize and regulate all boxing activities in Uganda.
In a letter dated April 9, 2026, addressed to UBF President Muhangi Moses, NCS raised concern over increasing cases of unlicensed boxing events being organized without clearance from the federation, despite prior engagements and guidance to stakeholders.
NCS emphasized that under the National Sports Act, only one registered body is mandated to oversee each sports discipline. In the case of boxing, that mandate lies solely with UBF.
“The law recognizes only one registered sports organization to oversee each sports discipline… in this case, the Uganda Boxing Federation for boxing in Uganda,” the statement noted.
The council further directed that all individuals and organizations intending to host boxing events must first seek authorization from UBF, warning that failure to comply would attract enforcement measures.
To strengthen implementation, NCS tasked UBF leadership to work closely with security agencies, including the Uganda Police Force, to ensure adherence to the directive.
The development follows a detailed legal opinion issued by the Office of the Solicitor General, which clarified ambiguities surrounding the interpretation of the National Sports Act, 2023.
In the opinion, Solicitor General Pius Perry Biribonwoha underscored that the law provides for only one national sports association or federation per discipline, effectively shutting the door on parallel entities seeking to regulate boxing.
The opinion further clarified that UBF, already registered and recognized by NCS, holds the mandate to manage both amateur and professional boxing in Uganda. This directly challenges the standing of the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC), which had sought legal clarity on its role.
According to the Solicitor General, UPBC cannot be registered as a national federation or association, as the slot for boxing governance is already occupied by UBF. Additionally, claims by UPBC of being registered as a business entity were dismissed, with authorities confirming no such registration exists under the Ministry of Trade.
The legal guidance also addressed dispute resolution in sports, noting that while the Act mandates arbitration for sports disputes, contracts signed before September 8, 2023, remain enforceable through courts of law.
With this directive, NCS has drawn a clear line in Uganda’s boxing landscape, signaling a crackdown on unauthorized events while consolidating UBF’s authority over the sport.
Stakeholders across the boxing fraternity are now expected to align with the law or face potential sanctions as regulators move to restore order in the ring.