Court ruling set to determine the future of professional boxing in Uganda

A significant court decision on August 31st will shape the governance of professional boxing in Uganda. The Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) has filed an application seeking an injunction against the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF).

The core of the dispute lies in the NCS’s decision on July 20th to recognize the UBF, led by Moses Muhangi, as the single governing body for all boxing in the country under the new National Sports Act 2023. The UPBC argues that this move is unlawful and has effectively shut down professional boxing events since 2025, impacting boxers’ livelihoods.

During a court session, UPBC’s lawyer, Peter Lubulwa, accused the NCS and UBF of misusing the law to undermine professional boxing, which the UPBC has overseen since 1988. They are requesting the court to allow them to continue organizing professional boxing events without interference.

UBF’s legal team countered that UBF underwent a rigorous registration process that UPBC failed to join. They maintain that the new law permits only one national body per sport and that the legislation was not intended to merge amateur and professional structures.

Justice Bernard Namanya, presiding over the case, noted the UPBC’s claim of being excluded from the registration process. The UPBC is also pushing for a court order compelling the NCS to convene meetings for all boxing stakeholders to elect new leadership and agree on a governing constitution for both amateur and professional entities.

While open to mediation, the UPBC is pursuing litigation as their immediate course of action. The ruling on the injunction application is scheduled for August 31st, with the main lawsuit challenging UBF’s sole recognition to be mentioned on September 17th.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/boxing/august-31-ruling-to-decide-fate-of-professional-boxing-governance-5556190