Shadir Musa Bwogi and David Ssemujju are in the national boxing team (Bombers) set to represent Uganda at the continental qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics due next month in Dakar, Senegal.
It was Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) that released the final list of the Bombers squad but not Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) as it has always been. The duo currently registered as reserves were part of the Bombers squad that represented Uganda at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
However, it is reported that UBF had their own list of the team for the Olympic qualifier event and it didn’t have the duo in question in it.
In the recent past, Shadir (80 kgs) and Ssemujju (63.5 kgs) fell out with UBF administration led by Moses Muhangi after failing to agree to terms of the Boxing Champions League. They later joined professional ranks. Catherine Nanziri was also one of the players that refused to sign up for the Champions League but she isn’t in the team for the Paris 2024 qualifier.
Joshua Tukamuhebwa (63.5 kg) who recently captained Bombers at the Africa Boxing Championships is in the team for the Olympic qualifier.
Matovu Ukasha (71kgs) is registered as a reserve alongside Shadir and Ssemujju. Kyobe Jonah (57kgs), Mawanda Fathia Shafik (51kgs), Mukiibi Idriss (80kgs), Ssenyange Isaac Zebra (71kgs) are also named on the team. Grace Nankinga (50kgs) is the only female boxer on the team that has 11 officials.
In a letter dated, 21st August, UOC has tasked UBF to prepare and submit to NCS a revised budget for the Dakar event. NCS will provide guidance on the budget and disbursement of the funds.