After weeks of public debate questioning why he has not been appointed to the Bombers’ national boxing team coaching bench, Coach Herbert “Skills” Kalungi has finally spoken out — and his response is as bold as his training style.

Kalungi, the highly regarded head coach of Sparks Boxing Academy, has been at the center of discussion within Uganda’s boxing community. Many fans, boxers, and insiders have argued that his modern approach and proven results make him a natural fit for the national setup. But in a candid response to the growing calls, Kalungi made it clear that his ambitions go far beyond national recognition.

“Bro, my dream is not to be a national coach,” Kalungi said. “I’ve elevated myself from local to international. I’ve done this alone, and trust me, the federation did not hold my hand to reach where I am now. This means I’m self-made.”

He went on to express his frustration with what he views as delayed recognition and lack of support from the boxing authorities.

“So why do you first wait for me to battle all the demons on my own, push myself to the top, and then after all the hustle, you start coming out mbu National team…”

Kalungi ended his statement with a phrase that sums up his journey and philosophy — “INSPIRED BRANDS — where my story begins.”

For many, his response reflects both pride and disappointment: pride in having built one of Uganda’s most successful boxing academies single-handedly, and disappointment in a system that often overlooks self-driven talent until success forces attention.

Under his guidance, Sparks Boxing Academy has produced some of Uganda’s best boxers, including Bob Turyatemba, Henry Oteba, Aaron “Da Goat” Ouma, and Douglas “The Hitman” Kalule, all ranked among the nation’s elite. His boxer Mwenda’s gold medal at a recent continental tournament further cemented his credentials.

Kalungi’s words now shift the conversation from recognition to self-empowerment and independence — a message that resonates deeply in Uganda’s boxing scene, where many athletes and coaches rise through personal struggle rather than institutional support.

Final Verdict:

Coach Skills Kalungi’s statement may silence the debate about his absence from the Bombers’ bench — not because he isn’t deserving, but because his vision is bigger. His focus on global standards, self-reliance, and building inspired champions proves that his legacy might not be measured by a national team title, but by the international impact of his work and the champions he continues to produce.

In the end, Coach Skills doesn’t just represent the next generation of Ugandan coaching — he represents its evolution.