Undefeated Ugandan welterweight professional boxer Bob Turyatemba made headlines again after stepping into the ring for his first amateur appearance since turning professional, competing in UBCL Week 15 action where he faced Seguya Karim. The fight ended in the third round by ABD (Abandon) after Karim’s corner halted the contest, awarding Turyatemba the victory.

Turyatemba, who remains unbeaten in the professional ranks, is currently ranked #3 out of 21 welterweights in Uganda and #132 out of 2,677 worldwide, a notable standing that has earned him recognition as one of the country’s promising boxing stars.

His appearance in an amateur competition comes at a pivotal moment in Ugandan boxing, following the implementation of the new National Sports Act, which places all boxing activities—both amateur and professional—under the authority of the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF), reducing the regulatory presence of the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC).

Farahati Manilora Observes Ringside

In attendance was another professional boxer, Farahati Manilora, who has so far participated in five amateur fights since the regulatory transition, all of which he has won. This growing participation of professional boxers in amateur or semi-amateur competitions is raising questions within the boxing community about a potential new competitive model driven by the current sports framework.

Could This Be a New Trend?

With UBF now overseeing the full boxing ecosystem, a pattern appears to be emerging where professional boxers may choose to compete in developmental tournaments such as UBCL to:

• Gain more fight experience and avoid long inactive periods.
• Build fanbases locally before major international bouts.
• Stay conditioned between professional match schedules.
• Increase ranking visibility and bargaining power for international fights.

If more professionals follow Turyatemba and Manilora’s path, Uganda may see a hybrid competition structure where the lines between amateur and professional bouts are less rigid, allowing fighters more opportunities year-round.

Why This Matters to the Boxing Fraternity

This evolving structure could have major benefits for Uganda’s boxing landscape:

✔ More fights for athletes, reducing long layoffs that slow career growth.
✔ Better scouting and development, allowing promoters and coaches to identify talent earlier.
✔ Improved event attendance and marketability, since recognizable professionals draw fans.
✔ Greater national team depth, as professional fighters could help raise competitive standards.
✔ Financial opportunities for boxers through expanded event participation.

However, it also raises regulatory and safety considerations to ensure matchmaking remains fair and that amateurs are not placed at risk when facing more seasoned professionals.

Writer’s Opinion

The participation of professional boxers in UBCL events may be a turning point for Ugandan boxing. If managed properly, this model could transform the sport by increasing competition frequency, keeping fighters active, and making boxing more attractive to sponsors, broadcasters, and fans.

However, strong coordination between UBF, promoters, coaches, and athletes will be essential. Without clear competition guidelines, the sport risks confusion, mismatches, and renewed disputes over authority—issues that have affected the growth of professional boxing in Uganda for years.

Still, based on what we are observing from fighters like Bob Turyatemba and Farahati Manilora, this new direction could represent a refreshed, modern era in Ugandan boxing, one that unites rather than divides the sport.