Latif Muwonge is a 21-year-old Ugandan professional boxer born and raised in Zzana. He is the last born in a family of five.
The younger brother of musician Young Mulo, Latif has been part of Uganda’s boxing team ‘The Bombers’ since 2015, winning several accolades including; national cadet tournament boxing 2014, national intermediate championship 2014, national open boxing championship 2015, as well as the national team trials 2017.
He also represented Uganda in the 2018 Bingwa Mabingwa East African Championship in Dar es Salaam.
How was it like starting this boxing journey?
I started boxing in 2013. During this time everything was hard from lack of training equipment, trainers among others.
You being a young brother to singer Young Mulo, it should have been easier to join the entertainment industry. Why then did you decide to join boxing?
Hahaa…. Actually, before he joined music, we both started as boxers but I think I was more passionate about the sport than he was.
What was the feeling when you were left out the team that represented us in the Commonwealth months back?
How did you manage to get over it? For sure I wasn’t negative about my omission because just being on the national team is big for me. However, on the other hand, it was a lesson for me to work harder.
Reports indicate that some of you guys pay to be part of the contingent, what’s your comment?
I never heard of that. I believe in hard work and determination.
Any resolutions you have made not to miss out on such big platforms?
Nowadays I train like a beast so that I can be the best on the planet. And this time around, I will have to be part of the team for the next international engagement.
What is your training schedule like?
Do you have any official gym? I train from Zzana Boxing club everyday but before hitting the gym, I first do some road work early morning.
While training, do you only go to lift weights or there are some other drills you go through?
Hahaaa. True I do much of the weights but I also engage in football since it is the other sport I love.
Do you have a personal coach? If so, who pays him?
Yes, I have and he is Coach Mujib Tebazalwa. On the issue of payment, Mujib has brought me far and with time we shall all gain from our hard work.
Many boxers who seem to be failing in the sport here in Uganda usually turn into “Kifeesi” since they have the mass and physique, what is your advice to such colleagues?
They must know that everything has its own time and through patience, focus and a positive mindset, the sky is the limit. I urge them to always make the best decisions during life setbacks.