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Their participation hangs in the balance due to a combination of financial constraints and the ongoing legal battle involving their mother body, the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF).
In Yaounde, Cameroon, the highly anticipated Africa Boxing Championships, scheduled from June 13 to 25, might witness the absence of Uganda's renowned national boxing team, the Bombers.
Their participation hangs in the balance due to a combination of financial constraints and the ongoing legal battle involving their mother body, the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF).
UBF has been under the spotlight over the past month after an audit report discovered discrepancies in their financial report for the 2021/2022 financial year, with funds worth UGX 3.5 million unaccounted for.
The situation has seen the arrest of UBF president Moses Muhangi, who has spent the last two weeks on remand at Luzira Prison on charges of forging budget documents.
However, Muhangi’s successful bail application on Wednesday provides a glimmer of hope, as it raises the possibility of his assistance in re-engaging the government and securing the necessary funds for the team's participation.
Nevertheless, the court has set a return date for further proceedings on July 20, 2023, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Complicating matters further, the National Council of Sports (NCS) has made it clear that no additional funds will be allocated to the boxers until the issues surrounding Muhangi's case are resolved.
These financial and legal setbacks their preparations with the team yet to convene for training camp and with the registration deadline for the tournament fast approaching.
Despite these obstacles, UBF has managed to navigate around the soft deadline by submitting a squad of 23 fighters for the competition.
The team includes notable boxers such as Yusuf Nkobeza, who won bronze in the middleweight category at the 2022 championship, and Jonathan Kyobe, who also achieved bronze in the featherweight category in Maputo.
Other talented boxers like Isaac 'Zebra' Ssenyange and Teddy Nakimuli, a bronze medalist at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, are part of the squad.
Muzamiru Ssemuddu, Mubiru Derrick, Mukiibi Edris, Owen Kibira, Ukasha Matovu, and Shaluwa Ndagire were also included on the team.
The Bombers' previous success at the Africa Boxing Championships, where they clinched two bronze medals in Maputo, Mozambique, has raised hopes for another strong showing.
Yet, the financial challenges faced by the UBF, with approximately UGX 900 million pending allocation from the NCS, have cast a shadow over their ability to adequately prepare for the tournament.
Time is of the essence, as the championship draws nearer and the Bombers are left with limited opportunities to overcome these hurdles.
Resolving the financial and legal issues remains critical to ensure Uganda's representation at the Africa Boxing Championships.
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