Idi Amin’s Grandson on Verge of Winning First Boxing Medal for Uganda in 36 Years

Aziz Abdul, grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, is on the verge of securing Uganda's first boxing medal in 36 years at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Abdul is set to compete in the quarter-finals of the 90+kg category against England's Damar Thomas. A victory in this match would guarantee him at least a bronze medal, marking a significant achievement for Ugandan boxing since the Auckland edition in 1990.

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Our first medal will be won on Wednesday (today). No excuse.

The 25-year-old, known by the nickname 'Ringo,' competes in the super-heavyweight division. He has expressed a strong ambition to win the gold medal, stating, "Our first medal will be won on Wednesday (today). No excuse." He added, "I have that dream that I’m gonna go back with gold medal. That’s the reason I’m here in Glasgow right now." Abdul is driven by a desire to achieve something for his country and to be recognized globally as 'Ringo the boxer.'

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I have that dream that I’m gonna go back with gold medal. That’s the reason I’m here in Glasgow right now.

When questioned by reporters about his lineage, Abdul chose not to dwell on his grandfather's controversial past. He acknowledged that people have both positive and negative views of Idi Amin, explaining, "That’s why I don’t want to talk more about him." He further stated, "It’s not good to say something negative about someone who is not there, and it’s not good to say something about someone negative who was not there by the time when the incident happened, if it happened." Abdul's focus remains firmly on his boxing career and making his own mark on the international stage.

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I want to do something for my country. I think the day is tomorrow (Wednesday) for them to recognise me and for the world to recognise me. I want to be known as the Ringo the boxer.