Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) President, Counsel Moses Muhangi, is in Moscow, Russia to engage with International Boxing Association (IBA) President, Umar Kremlev, as he seeks a crucial waiver for the delayed construction of Uganda’s first world-class boxing academy. The proposed $5 million facility, meant to serve as a regional boxing hub, has faced prolonged setbacks due to bureaucratic delays in acquiring land titles, despite government and Buganda Kingdom allocating land for the project. Muhangi aims to assure IBA leadership of ongoing efforts while securing extended support.
The project requires ten acres, but the Uganda Land Commission and Buganda Land Board have been slow in processing the necessary land documents, stalling progress for nearly two years. With Kremlev eager to fulfill his promise, Muhangi’s visit is critical in ensuring Uganda does not lose the investment. The UBF president is using this opportunity to explain the challenges faced and seek additional time as they finalize the land acquisition process.
Beyond the academy, Muhangi will also attend Russia’s prestigious Champions Night boxing event, studying their organizational strategies to improve Uganda’s boxing landscape. He will meet the President of the Russian Boxing Federation to explore how Russia successfully integrates amateur and professional boxing under one leadership—an approach Uganda is working toward under the new Sports Act, which mandates different sects of a single sports discipline be managed under a single federation.
Currently, professional boxing in Uganda is led by Salim Uhuru Nsubuga, while open boxing falls under UBF. Muhangi’s push for unification aligns with international best practices, ensuring streamlined governance and development. His Moscow visit, therefore, not only safeguards Uganda’s long-awaited boxing academy but also paves the way for structural reforms that could elevate the sport nationwide.
