▪️Now that nominations are already ongoing, the NTO requirement effectively locks out aspiring candidates who do not already possess certification, leaving no realistic pathway to compliance before the electoral deadline.
▪️With a limited certification pool, high experience thresholds, costly training requirements, and no immediate opportunity for new candidates to meet the criteria, the 2026 UBF presidential race may be decided long before ballots are cast.
As nominations open for the 2026 Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) elections, a growing debate within the boxing fraternity is whether newly enforced eligibility requirements—particularly the National Technical Officer (NTO) certification—are inadvertently narrowing the presidential race in favour of incumbent president Moses Muhangi.
While UBF insists the rules are about governance and professionalism, an examination of the eligibility framework suggests the criteria may significantly reduce the pool of viable challengers, increasing the likelihood that Muhangi could face little or no opposition as he seeks a third term.
A Small Certification Pool, A Big Gatekeeper
At the center of the controversy is the NTO certification requirement, now mandatory for anyone seeking to serve on the UBF executive, including the presidency. According to Muhangi, only 28 individuals nationwide currently hold valid NTO certification, all trained through UBF-organised courses.
With Uganda having 120 boxing-active districts, critics argue that restricting presidential eligibility to fewer than 30 certified individuals creates a structural bottleneck—one that disproportionately benefits the incumbent, who already meets all requirements by virtue of office.
Although Muhangi maintains that candidates may alternatively hold an International Technical Officer (ITO) certificate from bodies such as IBA, WBC, or ABU, such qualifications remain rare and costly to obtain, further limiting accessibility for grassroots administrators and former boxers.
Timing and Cost: Barriers to Entry
The timing of the certification has raised additional concerns. Asked whether another NTO course could be organised before elections, Muhangi described the prospect as unlikely, citing a USD 6,000 cost for a five-day training of 25 participants.
With nominations already ongoing, this effectively locks out aspiring candidates who do not already possess certification, leaving no realistic pathway to compliance before the electoral deadline.
“This makes the NTO less of a qualification and more of a gatekeeping mechanism,” said one boxing administrator who requested anonymity. “You can’t introduce a requirement and then make it impossible to access.”
Experience Thresholds Favour the Status Quo
Beyond certification, presidential aspirants must also demonstrate:
At least 10 years of service in a club executive or five years as a UBF executive member
While these provisions emphasize experience, they also tilt the field toward long-serving insiders—many of whom are already aligned with the current leadership—making it difficult for reform-minded candidates to break through.
Combined with the requirement for endorsement from five boxing districts, critics say the rules collectively consolidate power among a small circle of established actors.
No Term Limits, No Reset
Uganda has no term limits for sports federation leadership, a fact Muhangi openly acknowledges.
“As long as people elect you every four years, you can continue,” he said, defending his bid for a third term on the basis of performance.
However, governance analysts argue that in systems without term limits, high entry barriers become even more consequential, as they reduce electoral competitiveness and weaken accountability.
UBF’s Defense: Governance Over Politics
Muhangi strongly rejects claims that the NTO certification is being used to eliminate rivals.
“NTO is intended to give boxing stakeholders knowledge about event organising, governance and officiating,” he said, adding that the requirement was approved by UBF members.
Yet observers note that intent and impact are not always the same. Even well-meaning governance reforms can, if poorly timed or unevenly accessible, produce anti-competitive outcomes.
An Election Without a Contest?
As scrutiny of nominations intensifies, the question is no longer just who qualifies—but how many realistically can.
With a limited certification pool, high experience thresholds, costly training requirements, and no immediate opportunity for new candidates to meet the criteria, the 2026 UBF presidential race may be decided long before ballots are cast.
Whether Muhangi eventually faces challengers or runs unopposed, the unfolding process has reignited debate about governance reforms, inclusivity, and whether the rules of the game are shaping the result as much as the vote itself.
Courtesy Chris Posiano of Nara Promotionz
