Bazira unopposed to succeed Uhuru

Renowned boxing promoter Eddie Bazira eventually assumed full responsibility of the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) following an unchallenged candidacy that climaxed at the New Obligato on Saturday.

Salim Uhuru was voted president in March 2018 but overstayed his four-year mandate without reelection for three years because no one wanted his job.

In February 2025, he appointed Bazira to head an interim committee to engineer change including filling the vacant executive positions and reviewing the UPBC constitution as professional boxing prepares to merge with the amateur body, as required by the National Sports Act 2023.

When Uhuru seemed busy with his political career, Bazira expressed interest in assuming the mantle. He was unopposed, just like six others.

Paul Mutebe became the new secretary general, replacing Mark Jackson Mugwanya, who lives in the UK, Geoffrey Kasule, aka Evander, replaces Jackson Mugisha, who absconded barely a year into office as the publicity secretary. He is deputised by Paul Ayiasi. Jackob Wokorach, became the ring officials’ representative.  

Emmanuel Mwesigwa is the promoter’s representative replacing Hussein Babu, who joined the UBF Licensing Committee.

However, there’s still contention over the tenure of the new team, which also includes Simon Mukisa Katongole and Abbey Mugayi who retained their positions as vice president administration and technical respectively. Peter Lubulwa, who chaired the electoral commission declared a four-year tenure.

But when do those years elapse? He said the excom shall clarify that in an extraordinary general assembly soon.

Determining the treasurer’s post which was vacated by Maureen Mulangira, who now heads the UBF Licensing Commission attracted most attention.   

After argument on the mode of voting, the two candidates cast their ballots secretly. Their 104 supporters followed under tight scrutiny, totaling 106 votes—all valid. Grace Dudi won by a mighty 76 against Rodrick Mugerwa’s 30.

Dudi, who works with Prudential Insurance and relatively unfamiliar in boxing circles, beat Mugerwa, a sports medicine graduate and manager with 12 Sports Rounds Promotions. She rode the gender balance campaign as the only woman on the commission except Jackie Bakira, who was unopposed as the women’s representative.

“I thank you once again for trusting me with this responsibility to lead you,” Bazira said amid emotional cheers from the audience. “I don’t want rule. I want to lead you; to make boxing great again.

The founder of Baltic Pro Box Promotions promised to make life easier for promoters through acquiring a ring and lights, to avoid the hiring costs.

He also promised to create committees like the health, disciplinary, international affairs, advisory, regional representatives, among others.

“We don’t want to disobey the law. But we want to be allowed to manage our business of professional boxing, not to be under the UBF Licensing Commission,” Bazira reiterated the UPBC on the pending merger with UBF, under the new Sports Act.

“I am glad that UPBC is ready to comply with the new Sports Act,” said Sam Odongo, who represented the commissioner for physical education and sports, Rev Duncans Mugumya.

He also warned sports leaders against egoism and greed.

The National Council of Sports will meet UPBC and UBF on June 4 to ease the transition. “I hope that meeting will be fruitful. Everything can be sorted,” Odongo said.

NEW TEAM

Eddie Bazira, President

Simon Katongole, VP admin

Abbey Mugayi, VP technical

Paul Mutebe, secretary general

Geoffrey Kasule, publicity

Paul Ayiasi, deputy, publicity

Grace Dudi, treasurer

Emmanuel Mwesigwa, promoters’ rep.

Jackob Wokorach, ring officials rep.  

Jackie Bakira, women’s rep.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Peter Lubulwa

Brenda Ainembabazi,

David Kyambadde Kawuuzi

Tobias Edwin Kasufwa