UPBC to elect Uhuru successor on May 31

The Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) has set the roadmap for electing the next president to replace Salim Uhuru, who has held the office since March 2018.

Uhuru’s first four-year term expired in March 2022, but he stayed in office until February 8, when he appointed an interim committee to help him prepare for the transition, which also includes merging professional and amateur boxing into one body, as required by the National Sports Act 2023.

Now, UPBC must elect a new president and other office bearers on May 31.

The interim committee, chaired by Eddie Bazira, was also supposed to amend the UPBC constitution, a task they accomplished on May 10.

In February, Uhuru, the Kampala Central Division mayor, confirmed that he wants to concentrate on his political career but there were suggestions that he may return to boxing administration. But Bazira announced Uhuru will not run for any elective position.

Yet Bazira himself was cagey about his intentions to replace Uhuru. “I haven’t considered contesting for the presidency. But we have opened the window for people to pick up nomination forms and pay the necessary fees.”

A candidate seeking the presidency will pay a nomination fee of Shs1m, which is non-refundable, while those seeking other positions will pay Shs500,000.

The other vacant positions are secretary general, treasurer and promoters’ representative, and public relations officer.

A contestant must have a minimum of an O-Level certificate or an equivalent. He or she must also show proof of administrative experience by having been a boxing promoter, manager, agent, or served on a boxing executive for at least five years.

Mark Jackson Mugwanya, was the UPBC secretary general before relocating to the UK. Jackson Mugisha was suspended within just a year in office for neglecting his public relations duties.

Maureen Mulangira and Hussein Babu vacated their treasurer and promoters’ representative slots earlier this year and joined the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) licensing commission—UBF’s newly formed professional boxing arm, which UPBC strongly opposes.   

“UBF is still an association because it hasn’t yet fulfilled the requirements to become a federation,” Bazira said on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting at New Obligato on Saturday.

One such requirement is proof of the presence of boxing in 109 of the 146 districts of Uganda. “So, we have strongly contended that UBF doesn't have the mandate to sanction and regulate professional boxing.”