In 2022, the Ministry of Education and Sports suspended boxing in schools — a decision that continues to draw frustration, confusion, and heartbreak among students, teachers, and sports lovers across the country.
Since introduction in the 1950s, boxing became more than just a sport. It was a path to discipline, resilience, and national pride. Schools like Kololo High were central to its growth — producing legends who later competed on global stages.
But the abrupt and mysterious suspension of boxing activities in all schools has left mild consequences.
Once a powerhouse of school boxing, Kololo High School now echoes with silence in its once-bustling training gym.
The school, once known for grooming champions, now houses virtually an empty boxing ring.
Despite the ban, the spirit of boxing lives on and in makeshift gyms and quiet corners of school compounds, determined students like Nerrick Tumusime continue to shadowbox their dreams even without structured training.
“I want to become the president of Uganda boxing federation in the future but I also no talent has a limit as an athlete grows. It is why I study. But many of my talented colleagues have been denied chance. They can’t afford schools fees but can’t also get scholarships due to the suspension.”
The senior five student, boxing in the Boxing Champions League, is among a growing number of student-athletes balancing the demanding world of academics and underground boxing.
These young hopefuls are fuelled by passion and an unshakable belief that boxing can shape their future.
Very many boxers in Uganda come from the ghettos and access to education can only be possible through scholarships. This perhaps explains why many boxers fail to hit literacy heights.
Moses Muhangi, the Uganda boxing federation president believes that the unconvincing suspension curtails such dreams.
“In schools is where you can tap talent and when you are not in the school system it becomes hard to tap talent to represent the country. This call we have made so that we can discuss boxing in schools,” he noted
Despite students boxing in the federation competitions and representing the country in international tournaments, Muhangi says that engagements with authorities remain fruitless.
However, the state minister for sports Peter Ogwang is optimistic a solution will be attained. He says that the move was intended to ensure safety of the young boxers after several reports of age cheating and equipment shortage in school competitions.
“The good thing is that we finally have the law that regulates on the age, we must now look at the infrastructure, do we have gears, medical personnel, correct facilities to enable these young children box safely?”
As the 2025 boxing champions league returned on Saturday July 26th, 2025 at the Lugogo arena with week 7 fight card, Tumusiime closely lost to Kanaabi on points in the main fight.
