Kassim Ouma is one of Uganda’s finest boxers who is well remembered for his meteoric rise from a child soldier to become the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world junior middleweight champion.
Ouma – with his classmates – was abducted at the age of six in 1984 finding himself in unfamiliar territory of being a kadogo in Yoweri Museveni’s rebel army but he later escaped to the USA where he fought his way to the top clinching the IBF world junior middleweight title.
Now Ouma’s son, Henry Kasujja, is aiming to follow in his father’s footsteps despite being a late starter in pro boxing.
The 32-year-old Kasujja (11-1-1, 4 KOs) battles Malawis 38-year-old Charles Misanjo (32-25-1, 18 KOs) in the main fight of May 24 card in Nairobi promoted by US-based Ugandan businessman in Steve Sembuya who has relocated to Kenya to avoid repressive sports laws in Uganda he felt were meant to frustrate promoters.
Kasujja, a father of five boys and one girl, worked as a butcher at a slaughter house on the outskirts of Kampala to feed his family.
“I didn’t have time to fight in amateur boxing because I was busy working to put food on the table for my family,” recalls Kasujja who turned pro in 2022 with no amateur boxing experience.
In his pro debut, Kasujja lost to compatriot and newly-crowned ABU super-middleweight champion Shadiri Bwogi (9-0-0).
That’s Kasujja’s only loss so far in the bare-chested game. Among his victims so far include the Tanzania’s popular pro boxer Cosmas Cheka.
If Kasujja thought his life would change overnight financially after turning pro, he has been disappointed.
“I’m still struggling, life is not easy, the money I’m earning is not enough yet in Africa I’m ranked number three,” Kasujja told boxersworld.co.ke.
“Pro boxing is not easy, you’re on your own waking up early in the morning for roadwork.
“In the ring the punches are painful, the punches are the same as being hit by a stone, pro boxing is like death one has to be extra-careful.”
Imagewise, Kasujja is grateful to Steve Sembuya’s 12 Sports Rounds Promotion.
“Through Sembuya’s efforts I’m now known more than before ”
Sembuya said his business model is based on first building a sound foundation for his boxers before fighting for big money.
“Initially make sure boxers in my stable have a good record to enable them get bigger fights, and they know it, Kasujja now has two and a half stars he’s doing well,” said Sembuya.
Kasujja was inspired by the illuminating performance of his dad Kassim Ouma to turn professional.
“I’m going to be a world champion like my father, I used to train with him,” said Kasujja.
How
His dad is closely monitoring his son from Germany where he is based.
“My son will KO the Malawian in Nairobi, he’s very strong,” said Ouma in a phone interview.
Kasujja has warned Malawi’s Misanjo to be prepared for a painful night.
“If he’s not careful he will fall in the first round, I’ll damage his ribs,” said a bullish Kasujja.
“I’ve killed many cows working in the slaughterhouse in Kampala, so my heart is hardened.”
