A Ugandan boxing coach, identified as Herbert Kalungi, is reportedly behind bars for administering corporal punishment to his female trainee for losing a bout.
Kalungi mercilessly caned junior boxer Daphine Namitala of Sparks Boxing Club after losing a match to Irene Apiyo of Gulu Boxing Club.
After the video went viral, the coach was arrested and reportedly held at Jinja Road Police Station.
It has also sparked huge reactions on social media, including Uganda Boxing Federation president Moses Muhangi.
“It has to come to our attention that there is a trending disturbing video involving one of our boxers,” a statement from UBF partly reads.
“As a Federation, we do not condone corporal punishments as it is illegal in Uganda,” the release adds.
“We have immediately tasked our Disciplinary Committee to investigate this matter, and we get to establish the facts to this issue, and we shall accordingly work with Uganda Police to resolve this matter.”.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang has since expressed his concern and instructed that justice be duly served.
This is indeed very disturbing and must be condemned. Please establish the facts and ensure that investigations commence in due course so that justice prevails.
“Corporal punishment is unlawful and punishable by law. Above all, boxing as a sport remains illegal in schools until gov’t comes up with the guiding regulations.
