After dominating national boxing competitions with an impressive haul of 12 trophies and several championship belts, Lukanga Boxing Club has now shifted focus from the ring to the community, unveiling a new initiative aimed at grooming the next generation of boxing champions.
The initiative, launched during the club’s annual celebrations in Kampala, will see former boxing legends like 2000 Sydney Olympian Muhammad Kizito, aka Sande Swico and senior athletes attached to the club return to communities to identify, mentor and train talented young people.
Speaking at the event, the founder of the club, (Jjajja) Samuel Lukaga, said the programme is intended to strengthen grassroots boxing and sustain the club’s legacy of producing national champions.
‘We have embarked on training the younger generation from different communities. All the legends produced by Lukanga Boxing Club have been tasked to give back to society by identifying young talents who can become future champions,’ Lukaga said during the victory party in Masajja, on Entebbe Road.
Founded in 1992, Lukanga has become one of Uganda’s most successful boxing institutions by winning titles, producing celebrated national team boxers and coaches.
Discipline
Lukaga said the club’s success has not been accidental, but rather a result of discipline, patience and long-term investment in talent development.
‘The club does not grow because of the number of fighters but because of the victories we achieve. That is why we want to produce fighters capable of breaking through the national team,’ he said.
The renowned boxing enthusiast added that boxing champions are built over time through consistency and proper mentorship.
‘The team that wins trophies must first train for more than 10 years. I started as a coach to produce more coaches and legends who can continue transforming boxing,’ he added.
The celebrations were marked by jubilation after the club’s excellence in the national championships, sweeping trophies across different categories.
At the National Novices Championship, Lukanga dominated the Juniors, Youth, and Elite categories.
The dominance continued in the Intermediates Championship in March, where the club again won the Juniors, Youth, and Elite titles despite some but unstained challenge from Brawn Boxing Club, in the elite category.
Record
In April, Lukanga retained the National Open title for a record seventh time, again winning all age categories thanks to stars like cruiserweight Ismail Kanyike, middleweight Yannick Monga, light flyweight Nelson Oluoch, light middleweight Brian Kidega, and captain light welterweight Reagan Magumba, among others.
‘In total, the club walked away with 12 trophies from the three national competitions,’ said the club manager, Daniel Musanje, adding that the club also secured individual championship belts through outstanding individual performances.
Bruno Kakande claimed the light flyweight belt, while Farahat Manirola, who also doubles as a professional, won the light welterweight belt.
Another standout performer is Resty Nanono, who won the women’s welterweight division.
The club also scooped awards for best team, best coach, and best player after collecting 112 points, almost three times the number of points gathered by second-placed Cobap, who managed only 42 points, while Brawn Boxing Club got 37 points.
Lynnet Lenz, manager Galiya Furniture, one of the partners and supporters congratulated the club for maintaining a winning culture and promoting discipline among young athletes.
‘We pledge to remain working with Lukanga Boxing Club, and these wins have given us the courage to stand with the club in all the competitions for more victories,’ she said, urging the athletes to remain focused and determined if they are to achieve greater success.
‘You must remain strong and focused so that you continue winning and shining the light of Lukanga Boxing Club,’ she said.
Best female
Sawuya Nawudo was among the standout performers. The Global High School student emerged the best female boxer after winning gold medals in Novices, Intermediates, and National Open.
The rising boxer, who joined boxing only last year, said the sport has transformed her life and enabled her to showcase her talent on national platforms.
She attributed her success to her coach, Grasan Kakande, whom she credited for mentoring and guiding young athletes.
She added that the coach has equipped the athletes with different tactics and techniques that have enabled them to defeat opponents in several competitions.
However, ‘I need a manager who can support me financially with equipment to help me continue to advance my career,’ she said.
Meanwhile, Laura Ndagire, of Brawn Boxing Club, said her club is now prioritising the empowerment of the girlchild through boxing.
‘This year we have put emphasis on bringing more girls on board so that we can promote boxing in the country,’ Ndagire said.
She noted that although boxing was previously a male-dominated sport, more girls are now embracing it and excelling.
‘Previously, it was hard to have girls in the ring, but now many are participating. Lukanga has supported us in bringing more girls into boxing, and many of them have already won different competitions,’ she added.
Future
Sports enthusiasts say the growing involvement of women and youths in boxing is a positive sign for the future of the sport in Uganda.
For Lukanga Boxing Club, however, the mission goes beyond winning belts and trophies. The club believes boxing can transform lives, create opportunities, and empower young people from disadvantaged communities.
With club legends returning to communities to mentor upcoming athletes, the club hopes to extend its influence beyond the ring and continue shaping Uganda’s boxing future for generations to come.