Uganda’s boxers have begun the final push towards an international assignment, entering a residential training camp as they prepare to represent the country at the inaugural IBA President’s Cup 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey.
The 22 members of Uganda squad’s task is simply turning up for another international competition. They want to build on the lessons learnt from previous outings, correct their mistakes and show that Ugandan boxing can compete with the best.
Boxers in Camp
Owen Kibira, Yusuf Babu, Kilo Hamzaid, Swabur Kanongea, Aaron Mulindwa Yiga, Samuel Suubi, Joseph Kagewa, Ronald Nsamba, Hassan Musuza, John Musisi, Samuel Nsubuga, Ali Nsubuga, Eliphas Mbaziira, Ambrose Kubako, Francis Kasozi, Sadick Lukwago, Emmy Abel Ebong, Alphat Sembuyita, Stanley Mugerwa, Hassan Byansi, Yusuf Hasanal Abdulsamad, Isaac Masembe
Backed by Friends of Boxing (FOB), the team entered camp following an official flag-off ceremony at Lugogo, led by Uganda Professional Boxing Commission president Edward Bazira and FOB representative Teopista Nasuuna.
The tournament will take place in Istanbul from November 25 to December 5, with the actual competition running from November 27 to December 4 before the finals at the Sinan Erdem Sports Arena.
The squad includes boxers who recently represented Uganda at the IBA Africa Elite Championships in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where they bagged four medals and faced different styles and approaches to the sport.
John Musisi, popularly known as Musisi Cham, ‘The Dream Chaser’, the chance to wear Uganda’s colours is a source of pride. But he also believes the experience in Congo exposed areas that the team must improve before heading to Turkey.
“I’m glad to be on the team that is going to represent my country,” Musisi said.
“In Uganda, we have a system of fighting instead of playing boxing, and in Congo most of the boxers were playing boxing. So we communicated it to our coaches, and I know they are going to equip us with something better.”
The difference in approach left an impression on Musisi, who believes Ugandan boxers must learn to rely more on technique rather than simply engaging opponents in fights.
His journey in boxing has also been about more than medals and victories. The sport has changed how people see him, something he appreciates Friends of Boxing for helping to achieve.
“At this point in time, boxing has changed my life. It has earned me respect. Some of them were talking about me as a gangster (Muyaye), but now they talk about me as a boxer. In that, I will thank Friends of Boxing that helped us portray that picture,” he said.
Having watched how opponents approached their fights in previous competitions, Musisi is heading into camp with a clear intention to improve rather than dwell on what went wrong.
“I only promise to do better, correct my mistakes. I saw the systems the opponents used,” he added.
That is precisely what the technical team wants to address during the residential camp.
Coach Dickson Muhairwe is pleased that Friends of Boxing have once again placed their trust in the coaching staff, believing the results delivered in DR Congo played a part in earning that confidence.
“We are very happy as coaches that Friends of Boxing has entrusted us again with the power and responsibility, but I personally think it is because of the results we managed to bring from DR Congo, and we are again going to bring good results,” Muhairwe said.
However, the coach knows that Istanbul will present a different challenge. With boxers expected from across the world, Uganda must prepare for a variety of fighting styles and strengths.
“The tournament is going to have boxers from different countries all over the world, so we are going to train these players in line with the opponents’ strengths,” he explained.
Muhairwe is convinced that Ugandan boxers have what it takes to match their international opponents. What often makes the difference, he believes, is how fighters approach the contest mentally and technically.
“I don’t think these boxers have a lot they do better than us. Most of the time, they play on our minds, but as we go to camp, we are going to polish the technical bit,” he added.
Among those looking forward to the opportunity is Owen Kibira, popularly known as ‘Matrix’, who made his home debut as a professional boxer in March this year.
The competition offers Kibira three things worth chasing; a gold medal, the financial reward and the experience of sharing the ring with boxers from different parts of the world.
“Let me say I am excited about it all: the gold medal, money and experience. That exposure will help me know all the new tactics,” Kibira said.
The financial rewards are indeed another attraction at the inaugural competition, with the International Boxing Association (IBA) setting aside a total prize pool of $3 million under a structure that also recognises the people and institutions behind every boxer.
Instead of rewarding only the fighter, the IBA has introduced a three-way sharing arrangement in which 50 per cent of every prize goes to the boxer, 25 per cent to the coach and the remaining 25 per cent to the national federation; in Uganda’s case, the Uganda Boxing Federation who are most of the time in disagreement and away from IBA-organised events while fronting World Boxing.
A gold medal carries a total prize of $100,000. The boxer will receive $50,000, the coach $25,000, and the federation another $25,000.
Silver medal winners will share $40,000, with $20,000 going to the boxer and $10,000 each to the coach and federation.
A bronze medal is worth $22,000, divided into $11,000 for the boxer and $5,500 each for the coach and federation.
Even those who fall short of the medal positions will have something to fight for. Quarter-finalists who finish fifth will earn $5,000, with the boxer taking $2,500 while the coach and federation receive $1,250 each.
There is also an incentive to win from the opening stages, as every preliminary-round victory attracts $500. The boxer gets $250, while the coach and federation each receive $125.
Although initial press updates had indicated an $80,000 first-place prize, the definitive IBA Team Handbook distributed to participating delegations confirms that the division champion will receive a gross award of $100,000.
The challenge on Uganda’s side now is to turn the lessons from Kinshasa into better performances in Istanbul. The boxers have seen what their opponents can do, the coaches know where improvements are needed, and Friends of Boxing have once again provided support.
As the Boxers settle into camp, the focus is on sharpening their skills, understanding different opponents and building the confidence needed to compete on the world stage.