Sheila Gashumba calls for ban on celebrity boxing matches

What the report says

Media personality Sheila Gashumba has publicly criticized the rise of celebrity boxing matches, urging that the events be banned because, in her view, they expose participants to avoidable danger. In a social media post reported by Sqoop Uganda, she argued that boxing requires both physical and mental readiness and said some public figures may be entering the ring without adequate preparation.

According to the publisher, Gashumba’s comments were prompted by a recent celebrity bout in which singer Prima Kadarsih was declared the winner against media personality Zahara Totto over the weekend. Her post framed the matches as unprofessional and warned that people could be waiting for a serious injury before taking the safety concerns seriously.

Sqoop Uganda noted that celebrity boxing has become a growing entertainment trend in Uganda, drawing audiences as much for the personalities involved as for the sport itself. The article said other public figures, including Rickman, Shakib Cham, JK Kazoora, Dr Cephco and Grenade, have also taken part in similar events.

The remarks revive wider questions about how well these novelty matches are regulated, including training, preparation and safety measures. More broadly, the debate reflects tension between boxing as entertainment and boxing as a physically demanding sport with real risk.