The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has announced its selection of six boxers for the upcoming Olympic Qualifier in Dakar, Senegal in 2023. The chosen boxers are Joshua Tuka-mu-hebwa (The Bombers Captain), Jonathan Kyobe, Isaac Zebra Ssenyange, Grace Nankinga, Shafik Mawanda, and former Olympian Shadir Musa Bwogi.

This decision, signed by UOC Secretary General Beatrice Ayi-koru, follows a recent controversy where Bwogi was initially omitted from the list, and Idrisa Mukiibi, who later confirmed his lack of interest, was briefly included.

The Uganda Boxing Federation has been in a dispute with the National Olympic Committee for nearly two weeks, primarily regarding the allocation of slots for the country’s boxers. The Federation accuses the Olympic Committee of disregarding their recommendations and selecting boxers whose recent performance and form couldn’t be confirmed by UBF.

These differences emerged after the Uganda Olympic Committee released a list of nine athletes who will begin late preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, scheduled for next month in Dakar, Senegal.