Uganda’s journey at the 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships has come to a complete halt after the last remaining contender, Bob Turyatemba, was eliminated in the quarterfinals—bringing an end to the country’s hopes in Dubai and marking a disappointing finish for all five Ugandan representatives.

The Bombers, who entered the global event with high expectations, have now exited the tournament without a single medal, sparking widespread debate back home about the Uganda Boxing Federation’s role and preparedness of the national team.

Bob’s Exit Marks the Final Blow

Turyatemba, Uganda’s unbeaten professional standout, had been the nation’s strongest medal prospect following a dominant opening victory. But his quarterfinal exit sealed Uganda’s fate, leaving the country without representation as the tournament heads into its medal rounds.

His fall followed earlier eliminations of:

• Farahat Manirola, who suffered a shocking decision loss to Fedorov Pavel
• Mulindwa Fahad “Kingkong”
• Malindi Baker
• Ziikama Sabbath Mark, who had advanced by walkover but later dropped out

With all fighters out, attention has now shifted from the ring to the federation itself.

Questions Rise Over UBF’s Support and Visibility

In the aftermath of Uganda’s full elimination, several voices within the boxing community have questioned whether the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) played its part in preparing and supporting the athletes.

Observers point to several issues fueling the criticism:

1. Lack of Official Communication

Unlike previous tournaments where the federation actively flagged off teams, posted travel updates, and shared results, the 2025 IBA Championships saw complete silence across UBF’s official platforms.
Many fans say they learned about Uganda’s participation from the boxers themselves, not from the governing body.

2. Reports of Personal Sponsorship

Sources close to the team indicate that the Dubai trip was largely funded by private sponsors and the athletes themselves, with minimal or no financial contribution from the federation.
If confirmed, this would raise concerns about preparation quality, training support, and overall team coordination.

3. Morale and Management Gaps

Critics argue that without federation involvement, the fighters lacked the structured national-team environment that has characterized past Bombers campaigns.
 Some analysts believe this may have contributed to the team’s early exits.

A Strong Team With a Weak Campaign

Uganda sent one of its most talented squads in recent years—featuring seasoned professionals like Manirola and rising stars like Turyatemba. Expectations were high, especially with the tournament offering a record-breaking $8 million prize pool.

However, the combination of shock defeats, walkovers, and inconsistent preparation has led many to question whether the team was properly equipped for such a global stage.

Call for Accountability

With the entire squad now out of the tournament, boxing stakeholders are demanding explanations:

• Why did the federation not officially flag off the team?
• Why were there no updates on the progress of the tournament?
• Did the federation support the boxers financially and logistically as expected?
• And most importantly: Did the lack of federation involvement contribute to the Bombers’ poor performance?

Until the Uganda Boxing Federation issues a formal statement, these questions—echoing across social media and boxing circles—will continue to shape public opinion.