Two ‘presidents’ elected as UBF polls end in controversy

Faction One: Aiba observer John Kameta congratulating Moses Muhangi after he was elected Uganda Boxing Federation president on Saturday. Centre is Simon Barigo, the new UBF general secretary. Inset is Gimugu PHOTO BY ABDUL-NASSER SSEMUGABI.

What you need to know:

  • Boxing: Moses Muhangi was declared the new Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president at Kati Kati while a few metres away at the Lugogo Tennis Court, Keneth Gimugu was re-elected for another four-year term as the boxing body’s president.

KAMPALA.

Ugandan boxing is under threat of bare-knuckle politics between two egocentric camps, two presidents.
This after two rival factions failed to agree on the interpretation of the high court ruling and proceeded with separate elective assemblies.
Friday January 19, 2018, Lady Justice Lydia Mugambe dismissed the petition by Moses Kintu and 27 boxing clubs, and ordered that the January 20 assembly proceeds.
Justice Mugambe also ruled that: all eligible and fully paid up members should be allowed to participate; it is the respondent (the trustees) to determine the eligible and paid up members; members/clubs should not be excluded from the general assembly on the basis of any disciplinary action, the subject of the main suits to be determined and that each party shall bear its own costs.
After the somewhat ambiguous order, new boy Moses Muhangi and incumbent Kenneth Gimugu went separate ways.

There was neither time nor effort to agree on a unifying decision.
Saturday January 20, at 12:13pm, at Kati-Kati Restaurant along Lugogo Bypass, returning officer Edmond Okiror declared Muhangi the new Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) president.
Fred Kavuma and Simon Barigo, served under Gimugu since 2013, were elected first vice president and general secretary respectively. All were unopposed.
Meanwhile, a few metres away, Gimugu was re-elected for another four-year term as the boxing president at the Lugogo Tennis Court. 2004 Olympian Sam Rukundo and Robert Matovu emerged first vice president and general secretary respectively. They were also unopposed.

Legitimacy
John Kameta, the president of the Kenyan boxing federation observed Muhangi’s election on behalf of Aiba—the international boxing body. Robert Zaavuga, observed Gimugu’s on behalf of the Uganda Olympic Committee. The National Council of Sports (NCS) did not send a representative to either camp.
Paul Ayiasi, who was elected second vice president on the Gimugu executive, ironically attended the Muhangi convention contesting for the same post, but the returning officer deferred Ayiasi’s fate because his opponent belonged to the swimming federation, which contravenes the UBF rules.

Olive branch broken
Muhangi gave a warm victory speech, thanking his backers notably Isaac ‘Zebra’ Ssenyange, Sam Lukaga, Godfrey Nyakana, for the unwavering support.
He also told the press that he is ready to work with the rival faction but Gimugu has a very low opinion of the flamboyant newcomer. “What does he (Muhangi) know about boxing? He’s just childish, I don’t I have time for him,” he said. “I would rather talk with Kavuma or anyone else than with Muhangi.”
“We couldn’t just sit back when those people (Muhangi and co.) were hijacking boxing,” Gimugu told Daily Monitor, exclusively.
Gimugu, a magistrate, boasts a better understanding of the law and interpretation of documents.
“The spirit of the judge’s decision was to allow every member to participate in the election,” he said. Hence he used his powers as the head of the trustees and allowed all the 66 clubs to participate.
“Because there was no time or proof to determine who paid and who didn’t, some clubs claim they paid but never got receipts.”
Surely, the boxing fraternity: boxers, coaches, clubs and the press alike should brace themselves for a bout of confusion. Who is the legitimate leader? Which tournament to attend? Won’t I be breaking the rules? Who gives some reasonable facilitation? Who is right or wrong or who is the lesser evil? This is the mess that table tennis, cycling, among others has suffered and the results are so far not good.

UGANDA BOXING FEDERATION RIVAL CAMPS

(a).

Moses Muhangi - President
Fred Kavuma - Vice President
Simon Barigo - General Secretary

(b).

Kenneth Gimugu - President
Sam Rukundo - First Vice President
Robert Matovu - General Secretary