Uganda’s national boxing team (the Bombers) entered residential camp on Wednesday at Luzira prisons before starting training on Thursday morning ahead of the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics African qualifiers due next month February 20-29 in Dakar, Senegal. Other 13 reserve boxers were added to the already confirmed 13 boxers to Senegal to help in sparring. The Bombers were due to enter residential camp early this month but were undone by lack of finances.
“We have been promised Shs500m by government but we are yet to receive it. As the federation, we had to improvise and take the team to the camp because time was totally against us. You cannot prepare late or inadequately and expect success at the international level,” noted Muhangi, who wil travel as the Bombers team manager to Senegal. In the meantime, Zebra Ssenyange will be the camp manager.
“Our challenges have been financial. Most of the countries have been in camp weeks and months back, but nevertheless we are starting ours and we are hopefully. We have been promised support from NCS and UOC which is a great sign that government is willing to help us. We will be receiving Shs500m from NCS, although our projected budget was Shs650m. We are waiting for the money to come through,” noted Muhangi.
The Bombers camped at the same venue prior to last year’s All Africa Games in Morocco. Among the coaches in camp, the All Africa Games Coach Mohamed Medhi Mulandi was dropped despite bringing home three medals.
Bombers Squad in Camp
Fly Weight
Main – Disan Mubiru
Reserve – Muhammed Lwanga
Feather Weight
Main – Isaac Masembe
Reserve – Jonah Kyobe
Light Weight
Main – Adinan Yasin
Reserve – Joshua Tukamuhebwa
Welterweight
Main – Shadir Musa Bwogi
Reserve – Stanley Mugerwa
Middle Weight
Main – David Ssemujju
Reserve – Yusuf Nkobeza
L/Heavy Weight
Main – Joshua Male
Reserve – Eldris Mukibi
Heavyweight
Main – Alex Bwambale
Reserve – Emma Kyambadde
Super Heavy
Main – Solomon Geko
Reserve – Hudson Muhumuza
Women
Fly Weight
Main – Catherine Nanziri
Reserve – Teddy Nakimuli
Featherweight
Main – Susan Akello
Reserve – Jalia Nali
Light Weight
Main – Rebecca Amongin
Reserve – Sarah Laker
Welterweight
Main – Emily Nakalema
Reserve – Lydia Nantale
Middle Weight
Main – Doreen Nassali
Reserve – Hellen Baleke
Technical Team
Manager – Zebra Mando Ssenyange
Doctor – Christopher Mbowa
Coaches – Patrick Lihanda, Samuel Kabugo, Tonny Sekabira, Dan Kasole, Twaib Mayanja
