It has now been a full week since Uganda’s boxing fraternity was rocked by one of the most dramatic no-shows in recent memory. Ezra “The Silent Assassin” Ssali, who had signed a contract and even attended the weigh-in — albeit late — for his much-anticipated featherweight clash with Isaac Masembe on 27th August 2025 at Supremacy Lounge, failed to appear on fight night.

His disappearance stunned fans, embarrassed promoters, and left the entire Ugandan boxing community questioning the professionalism of the sport. To make matters worse, it was later revealed that on the same weekend, Ssali had quietly flown to Dubai, where he fought fellow Ugandan Fahim Mubiru at Cobra Kai Fitness Gym on Sunday, 28th September.

Yet, one week later, the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) and its Professional Boxing Licensing Committee remain conspicuously silent on the matter.

Damages and Fallout

The ripple effects of Ssali’s actions have been severe:

• Masembe’s Camp: After weeks of preparation and financial investment, Masembe was robbed of the marquee test his team had promised. His strategy, conditioning, and promotional hype were rendered meaningless.
• Promoter of the Event: The promoter, who had secured sponsorships, invested in venue preparation, and marketed the showdown, suffered huge losses — both financial and reputational — as fans were left frustrated and angry.
• The Federation and Stakeholders: The no-show dragged the image of Ugandan boxing into disrepute, raising questions about the credibility of contracts and the ability of the federation to enforce professionalism among its licensed fighters.
• The Fans: Supporters who bought tickets and turned up for the highly billed clash felt cheated. Many took to social media expressing anger at the lack of accountability.

UBF Under Pressure

So far, neither the UBF nor the Licensing Committee, responsible for overseeing the conduct and discipline of professional boxers, has issued a statement on whether Ssali will face sanctions. The silence is fueling speculation that the federation may be reluctant to take decisive action against one of Uganda’s rising fighters, despite the disruption and embarrassment caused.

Legal experts within the sport argue that Ssali’s conduct — signing a contract, making weight, and then abandoning the fight — could qualify as a breach of professional obligations, warranting suspension, fines, or even revocation of his license.

Calls for Accountability

The question being asked across gyms, promotions, and fan circles is simple: Will the UBF act, or will this go down as yet another stain on the sport’s integrity?

As boxing stakeholders lick their wounds, the federation’s silence risks being interpreted as tolerance for indiscipline, further eroding the fragile trust between fans, fighters, and promoters. For Masembe and his camp, justice remains elusive. For promoters, confidence is shaken. And for the fans, faith in the sport is wearing thin.

Until the UBF and its Licensing Committee break their silence, the damage caused by “The Silent Assassin’s” disappearance will continue to cast a shadow — not just over Masembe’s career, but over the credibility of professional boxing in Uganda.