After two weeks of intense competition at the 2026 Africa Boxing Championship in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda's boxing 'rebel team' returned home with a remarkable Shs112.5 million in prize money and four medals.
A Rebel Team's Triumph
The team, known in boxing circles as the 'boxing rebels', secured one silver and three bronze medals at the championship held at the Stade des Martyrs Gymnasium in Kinshasa from October 18 to November 1. The contingent was powered by Friends of Boxing (FOB) and led by former Olympian Sam Rukundo.
Their journey to Kinshasa was set against the backdrop of an unprecedented split in Ugandan boxing, which resulted in two parallel national teams from rival camps competing at two different international championships. While the national team, the Bombers, competed at the inaugural Africa Boxing Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, under the World Boxing (WB) banner, the FOB-backed team headed to Kinshasa for the International Boxing Association (IBA)-sanctioned event.
Despite the off-ring battles, both contingents returned with medals, giving Ugandan boxing plenty to celebrate. The Bombers delivered 13 medals, including four gold, marking Uganda's best-ever performance at the Africa Boxing Championship. The Kinshasa team's haul of four medals, while smaller, is equally deserving of recognition.
Financial Incentives and Competitive Edge
Unlike the Bombers, whose campaign in Nairobi also carried the incentive of accumulating ranking points towards qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Kinshasa team specifically competed for the lucrative USD1 million prize purse offered by the IBA. These financial rewards made the Kinshasa championship particularly competitive.
Leading the rebel team's charge was towering heavyweight Emmy Abel Ebong, who settled for silver after losing his final to DR Congo's captain and favourite Peter Mpita Kabeji, a two-time Africa Boxing Championship gold medallist. Ebong's silver medal was complemented by three bronze medals from middleweight Ronald Nsamba, light heavyweight Ronald Wandera, and lightweight Sarah Laker.
The IBA's prize structure offered USD20,000 (approximately Shs90 million) to every gold medallist, USD10,000 (Shs45 million) to silver medallists, and USD5,000 (Shs22.5 million) to each bronze medallist. For Uganda, the return of Shs112.5 million from Ebong's silver and the bronze medals of Nsamba, Wandera, and Laker was good business.
Beyond the Medals
Beyond the money and medals, the championship provided boxers with valuable international exposure and the opportunity to test themselves against some of the continent's best. "I wanted to go for gold but unfortunately God decided to give me silver. To me, the championship has given us exposure and I wish to avenge my defeat very soon," Ebong, who was born in Gulu District, told Vision Sport shortly after the team's return.
The success of both teams, despite the administrative divisions, highlights the depth of talent in Ugandan boxing. As the sport continues to navigate its internal challenges, the performances in Kinshasa and Nairobi offer hope for a unified and prosperous future.
