Two of the three Boxers Shadir Musa Bwogi and David Ssemujju who represented Uganda at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been returned on the National team by Uganda Olympics Committee two years after joining professional boxing.
Bwogi and Ssemujju are on the Bombers list released by UOC that will start late preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics due next month in Dakar, Senegal.
Alongside Catherine Nanziri (not on the team), the Olympians fell out with Uganda Boxing Federation over what they termed as ‘unfair’ contracts to compete in the Boxing Champions League and consequently joined Professional Boxing.
Per rules, they are still eligible to represent on the National team given they have not had more than ten pro fights.
Efforts to reach UBF for a comment on the released list have been futile – But earlier reports suggest that UOC requested UBF for the National team list which they duly submitted.
However, their list, it is said, did not include Ssemujju and Bwogi who have since joined professional boxing.
Granted, UBF consequently asked UOC for funds to stage elimination bouts to gauge the fitness and ability of the two Boxers, a request that has since fell on deaf ears.
UBF, a week back, held elimination bouts at Club Obligato for these Olympics Qualifiers where Jonah Kyobe who was beaten on the night, is on the final list.
Shadir Musa Bwogi (80kgs), Matovu Ukasha (71kgs) and David Kavuma Ssemujju(63.5) are regarded as reserves per the list.
Shadir has been listed as a reserve for Mukiibi Idriss who was humiliated in the just Concluded Africa boxing Championship in Cameroon.
From a reliable source Mukiibi’s mother told him to abandon boxing and do other businesses (as his son is a degree holder!) which lives room for the former bombers captain.
Speaking to media, Shadir Musa Bwogi expressed his readiness.
“I am ready to represent my country once again, you know I am the best in Uganda and even haters know so.”
“I am an Olympian who tested the waters the first time I went to Olympics in 2020 Tokyo and this time round I want to go there and come with something.”
Ssemujju will be Tukamuhebwa Joshua’s reserve in the 63.5kgs but apparently Ssemujju fights in the Middle weight (75kgs).
Meaning, he has been tasked to fight in a weight he last featured in about four years ago.
That will require him to reduce 12 kgs in a short period. In case he does so, how effective will he remain in the ring?
“I once reduced to the same weight in 2018 Commonwealth games but what I can say is beyond Kilos. I cant be effective in the ring,” he told media.
“Unless I am told they just want to take me to the Camp just as a sparing partner, why not put me in a 71kgs weight where Isaac Zebra Ssenyange is? They all know I am the Animal, an Olympian in making.”
In addition, there is only one female boxer Grace Nankinga (50kgs).
This is a huge reduction compared to the full team of six that were at the Africa boxing championship ie Women – Emily Nakalema, Zahara Nandawula, Shalua Ndagire, Grace Nankinga, Nadia Najjemba and Erina Namutebi.
Kyobe Jonah (57kgs), Mawanda Fathia Shafik (51kgs), Mukiibi Idriss (80kgs), Ssenyange Isaac Zebra (71kgs and Tukamuhebwa Joshua (63.5) are also listed on the team.
There other but is that there is Kyobe Jonah and not Khassim Mulungi who beat the former during the Elimination bouts for Olympic Qualifiers.
Matovu Ukasha is among the best and most talented Boxer in the country, but he is still injured. And his fate remains unknown as he is listed as Isaac Zebra Ssenyange’s reserve partner.
The list of Officials Vis-à-vis the Athletes is alarming as well. There are 11 officials listed, a number bigger than the Boxers.
