Ugandan influencer and bar host Sheilah Gashumba is calling for a ban on celebrity boxing matches, arguing that the increasingly popular fights could put public figures at unnecessary risk.
Sheilah made the call on X on Sunday morning, describing the matches as “unprofessional” and questioning whether enough attention is being paid to the physical and mental well-being of the celebrities taking part.
Her comments came shortly after Zahara Totto was defeated by Prima Kardashi in a celebrity boxing bout on Saturday night.
“Can someone ban these unproffesional boxing matches!! Y’all are waiting for something to happen one day to one of these ‘public figures’ for you to understand that its not right! People must be physically and mentally fit for such a sport!”
Sheilah’s concern centres on the preparation required for boxing, arguing that being a public figure does not automatically mean someone is equipped to participate in a physically demanding combat sport.
Celebrity boxing has become increasingly visible in Uganda in recent years, with several public figures stepping into the ring despite their primary careers being outside professional boxing.
Among those who have participated are Rickman, Shakib Cham, JK Kazoora, Dr. Cephco and Grenade, among others.
The trend has attracted attention because of the entertainment value surrounding the bouts, with celebrity rivalries and personalities often becoming part of the appeal.
But Sheilah is questioning whether the spectacle is worth the potential consequences if participants are not adequately prepared.
Her warning also comes as celebrity boxing continues to blur the line between entertainment and competitive sport, where physical fitness, training and safety remain critical considerations.
For Sheilah, the concern is not simply about who wins or loses. She wants the industry to consider what could happen if an unprepared celebrity suffers a serious injury in the ring.