In the due course of carrying out his respective jurisdiction chores on the over 84 Lake Victoria Islands of Kalangala District, Kenneth Gimugu will have a second ear on the ground at the National Council of Sports Premises where the Uganda Boxing Federation Office is run.
Kenneth Gimugu of Entebbe Boxing Club Limited is the newly elected Uganda Boxing Federation President, having beaten his challenger to the post, Issa Kikungwe, also member of Paliament for Kyadondo South by 7 votes.
Barely 24 hours after being entrusted with the mantle to lead a Federation whose members have been at loggerheads for quite a long time, Gimugu has already outlined his 10 basic ideas in the master plan to reviving Uganda’s lost glory in the once most dominant sport.
“The best time to plant a tree was 10 years back, but the second best time to plant a tree is now”, says the trained lawyer, who is now a court magistrate covering the entire 84 islands of Kalangala District.
Gimugu revealed to Kawowo Sports that he intends to bring together all stake holders in the Boxing family on board to ensure a coherent leadership.
“Gone are the 7 years of disruptive conflicts.We need to get working” says Gimugu, who sings praises of his boxing mentor, Jimmy Ssekinogga of Entebbe.
He is wary of the massive challenge of aliening the current structures at the federation in line with the the widely IABA accepted and now operational World Series of Boxing (W.S.B) and the pending AIBA Pro Boxing.
Despite the fears and challenges, Gimugu starts his first week in office of the 4 year term with high expectations of delivering and serving for a sport he has loved since his childhood.
Gimugu’s 10 Point Programme:
1-Reconciliation. Bringing about Unity in the federation by joining hands with every party.
2-Accountability and Transparent Leadership.
3-Rejuvenating Boxing Structures.
4-Strengthening Clubs across the entire country to ensure competition, developing and spotting new talents.
5-Securing Sponsorships to the federation and clubs. Education government on the importance of the sport.
6- Reviving all Competitive Tournaments (Local and International in line with IABA Calendar).
7- Technical Development of coaches, referees and judges by lobbying for more fresher courses.
8-Talent identification programmes for players. Developing a training center and securing good training facilities and equipment for the sport.
9- Partnership with armed forces, schools and institutions (UPDF, Police, Prisons, Madivani, Mehta, Kinyara, Bidco and many others).
10-Maintaining the Hall of Fame for achieving Boxing personalities both local and foreign based to ensure special recognition of personal toils and efforts.
With such a programme, many people will be on the watch out to see the practicability and eventual implementation of the policies which are right now on paper into realistic dreams for the Uganda Boxing family.
“Boxing is a wonder sport to the extent that the Police is using people like Zebra Ssenyange in Bwaise to conduct Community Policing”, he says of the sport.
Who is Gimugu?
Full Names: Kenneth Gimugu
Boxing Club: Entebbe Boxing Club
Date of Birth: 30th June 1975
Parents: Amos Kabiri (father), Mum (Deceased)
Birth Place: Buwalasi, Sironko District
Education:Kiwafu Primary, Bukeddi College, Kachonga (Butalejja)- O-level, Entebbe S.S- A level,
Makerere University (B.Laws), L.D.C (Diploma in Legal Practice),K.I.U (Masters In Conflict Resolution), University of Lincoping, Sweden, (Msc. Child Development and Protection).
Boxing Career: Played with Entebbe Boxing Club between 1992 and 1998 in the Light Weight and Welter Weight Categories.
1999-2004 – Took a break from active boxing to concentrate on studies
2004- Resumed Boxing activities as Chairman of Entebbe Boxing Club, was Treasurer in the Godfrey Nyakana Regime. Has founded Entebbe Division B and Entebbe Lake View Boxing Clubs.
2005-Todate: Chairman, Entebbe Boxing Club & Association
14th Sept 2013: Elected Uganda Boxing Federation President
