Moses Muhangi has urged boxers to stand firm and avoid being exploited by politicians as elections draw closer, calling on the boxing fraternity to unite behind self representation.
The Uganda Boxing Federation president, who is also contesting for the Kampala Central parliamentary seat, warned that boxers have for years been mobilised only when politicians need numbers, before being abandoned once elections pass.
“Boxers should not allow themselves to be used. For a long time, someone comes when they need you during nominations or rallies they give you 10,000 shillings and you run. Yet when you need them, they are not there for you,” Muhangi said while addressing the boxing fraternity.
Muhangi pointed to his seven year tenure leading the sport as evidence of persistent neglect despite repeated engagement with political leaders. He said promises made to the boxing community have rarely translated into action.
“I have been running boxing for seven years. We invite MPs and ministers to our games and explain our challenges, but they never address them. Up to today, boxers are still struggling no equipment, no travel, no competition arena, no gyms,” he added.
According to Muhangi, the solution lies in boxers taking control of their own political destiny by pushing one of their own into Parliament to advocate for the sport’s needs directly.
“The time for us to be used is over. Let us push one of our own into Parliament so we can start representing ourselves.”
He also called for unity within the boxing community, warning that failure to rally behind the Kampala Central bid could undermine collective progress.
“If I find a boxer still out there not coming to Kampala Central to support our candidate, then we shall have a small challenge because you don’t understand where we need to go,” Muhangi noted.
With elections approaching, Muhangi’s remarks reflect a broader push within Ugandan boxing for unity, self belief, and long term solutions to the challenges that have held the sport back.
