Tom Kawere
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with Thomas Kawere. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2024. |
Thomas Kawere | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas Nseremye Kawere June 1, 1927 |
| Died | December 5, 2021 (aged 94) |
| Resting place | Lubaga |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Alma mater | Namilyago College Loughborough College |
| Occupation | Professional boxer |
| Years active | 1945-2021 |
| Organization | Uganda Boxing Federation |
| Known for | 1. being the first Ugandan and East African to win a boxing medal at the Commonwealth games in 1958 2. Training Muhammed Ali while in Rome-Italy for the Olympics game |
| Spouse | Nampeera Kawere |
| Children | 9 |
Thomas Nseremye Kawere also known as Tom Kawere (Born: 1 June 1927, Died: 5 December 2021) was a Ugandan professional boxer and a former coach of The Uganda National Boxing Team which also known "The Bombers". [1][2][3][4] He was the first Ugandan and East African to win a boxing medal at the Commonwealth games in 1958.[1][5][6][7]
Background and education[edit]
Kawere was a grand child of Stanislas Mugwaanya who served as a chief in the Buganda Kingdom.[8][7]
Kawere went to Namilyango College for his secondary education[1][5] and Loughborough College for Physical Education in the UK.[7]
On 29 July 2016, Kawere was awarded an accolade for his service contribution to the country and Namilyago College by Moses Magogo who is the FUFA president during the Namilyango College Old Boys Association inaugural dinner which took place at Protea Hotel in Kampala.[6][7]
Kawere died on 5 December 2021 with 94 years at his home in Lubaga due to spinal cord complication which was sustained as a result of a boda boda accident which happened in 2017.[3][9]
Personal Life[edit]
Kawere was married to Nampeera Kawere on 25 September 1953 and they had nine children.[7]
Career[edit]
Kawere became boxer in Namilyago College in 1944[1] where he served as the school team captain from 1945 to 1949.[5][7] Kawere started the Kampala Boxing Club.[2][8]
Kawere participated in the 1958 Commonwealth games in Wales where he emerged as the winner for silver medal in the welterweight division.[5][2][8][10] Between 1959 up to 1969, he was the head coach of the Uganda National boxing team called The Bombers and led Uganda to the 1960 Rome Olympics.[1][6][11][3][8] While in Rome-Italy for the Olympics game, he trained Muhammad Ali.[1][2][8] Kawere also coached Idi Amin Dada who won Uganda's heavyweight boxing title.[1][8][7]
Kawere served as a clerk in 1950 at the Ministry of Public Relations and Social Welfare.[7] Between 1960 and 1965, he served as a member of the Ugandan Olympic Committee.[7] From 1960 to 1977, he worked as the sports officer at the Ministry of Culture and Community Development.[7] Between 1963 and 1965, Kawere served as a member and treasurer of the Uganda Amateur Athletics Association and he served as Administrative secretary to the National Sports Council from 1977 to 1981.[7]
In 1965, Kawere was the appointed the Uganda Boxing Association referee and judge.[7] In 1962, he became the coach for Amateur Athletic Association in UK and in 1974, he became the International Boxing Association judge.[7]
Professional Record[edit]
Medals, awards and recognitions[edit]
- He won a bronze medal from Royal Life Saving Society in United Kingdom in 1962.[7]
See also[edit]
- Uganda at the Commonwealth Games
- List of Commonwealth Games medalists in boxing
- 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
- George Oywello
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g "1960 Olympics boxing coach Kawere honoured". Monitor. 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ a b c d "Namilyango College awards Mohammed Ali's trainer". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ a b c "Tom Kawere eyasooka okuwangulira Uganda omudaali gw'ebikonde mu mizannyo gya commonwealth afudde". Bukedde. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "Make Nakivubo, Lugogo free training grounds-Kawere". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ a b c d "Boxing legend Tom Kawere dies aged 94". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ a b c "Uganda Boxing Accolades – giving Muhangi's capitalism a human face | The Touchline Sports". 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Kawere won East Africa's first international boxing medal". Monitor. 2020-09-14. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ a b c d e f "Kawere: A Ugandan that once trained with Muhammad Ali". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ "Boxing legend Tom Kawere dies aged 94". Bukedde. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ Kawalya, Brian (2022-06-27). "Bombers Enter Residential Camp Ahead of Commonwealth". Live from ground. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "How boxer Nakimuli saved Uganda from losing 64 year record". New Vision. 2022-08-10. Retrieved 28 May 2024.