The High Court in Kampala has dismissed an application by the Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) seeking to restrain the National Council of Sports (NCS) from recognising the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF) as the body responsible for administering boxing in Uganda.

Justice Bernard Namanya dismissed the application on Monday, ruling that the action UPBC sought to stop had already taken place before the matter came up for hearing.

At the heart of the dispute was the registration of UBF by NCS, with the court establishing that a certificate recognising the federation had already been issued in July 2025.

That development rendered UPBC’s application for a temporary injunction ineffective, according to the court.

Justice Namanya explained that a temporary injunction is prospective in nature, primarily intended to prevent an anticipated action or preserve an existing state of affairs. It is not ordinarily designed to reverse an action that has already been completed.

The court also considered an April 9, 2026 communication from NCS which indicated that the council had the authority to clear, handle and sanction boxing events in Uganda, covering both professional and amateur competitions.

The communication further directed organisers of boxing events to obtain clearance from UBF.

That position weakened UPBC’s argument that UBF’s mandate was restricted to amateur boxing, as the evidence before court pointed to a broader administrative role for the federation.

Justice Namanya consequently found that UPBC had failed to establish sufficient grounds for the temporary injunctive and mandatory orders it had sought.

The judge upheld the preliminary objection raised by the respondents and dismissed the application, holding that it had effectively been overtaken by events.

The ruling leaves UBF’s registration with NCS intact and potentially strengthens the federation’s position in the administration and sanctioning of boxing competitions across Uganda.

It also adds a significant chapter to the continuing contest over the governance of Ugandan boxing, particularly the question of which institution has the ultimate authority to clear, sanction and oversee professional and amateur boxing events.

For Uganda’s boxing fraternity, the decision could have wider implications as stakeholders continue to navigate the respective roles of the UBF, UPBC and NCS in regulating the sport.