Salim Uhuru has said Celestine Mindra has no chance of leading Uganda Professional Boxing Commission (UPBC) as president again. UPBC members go to polls on December 6 and Mindra is said to be interested in retaining his position despite having served three constitutional terms.

"According to our constitution, Mindra cannot stand again. He has served his three terms and can only stand if the constitution is amended," Uhuru said in reaction to reports that Mindra would seek another two-year term.

UPBC secretary Simon Katongole is adamant about Mindra's candidature.

"Mindra has just served two terms and has another chance. He is still the president and people should stop campaigning for the post," he said.

But Uhuru retorted: "Those people must be confused. As far as I know, Mindra has been president since 1998 and those can't be two terms. Maybe they have made another constitution."

Uhuru, a retired boxer turned politician, also questioned Katongole's comments that registration for the elective assembly had closed with only 60 names on the list.

"We have about 100 members, that means most of them will be locked out of the assembly. Registration should remain open until the end of November."

Formed in 1993, UPBC has struggled to promote professional boxing in Uganda, a trend Uhuru has promised to turn around in a few years.

"I have already talked to a couple of sponsors. It's also a shame that UPBC still hires boxing rings. I will by one at $6,000 (about Shs12m)," he promised.

Mindra returns next week from the Chinese capital Beijing where he is attending a World Boxing Council convention.