Uganda’s boxing community is mourning the sudden and painful death of rising boxing star Alex Kanaabi, who passed away at just 23 years after doctors confirmed he had suffered the effects of a powerful poison.
Kanaabi, a light middleweight prospect and national team boxer, died in the early hours of January 8, 2026, just weeks after winning the league title on Boxing Day, a fight that would unknowingly become his last appearance in the ring.
According to his family, the young boxer fell seriously ill at his home before being rushed to several hospitals as his condition rapidly worsened.
Speaking to journalists, a woman who identified herself as Kanaabi’s mother dismissed early speculation of an assault, insisting her son was poisoned.
She explained that she last saw Alex at around 9:00 pm on Tuesday night when he went to sleep in his house. He was not seen throughout Wednesday.
“I came back from work at around 6:00 pm and rested. Later, the children told me Alex was in his house but was not answering phone calls, hen I went to his door, I heard abnormal breathing. We forced it open and found him motionless, with foam coming out of his mouth.” she said.
The family rushed Kanaabi to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kireka before he was referred to Healthstone Medical Centre in Banda, where he was placed on oxygen. Doctors later advised immediate transfer to Nsambya Hospital for advanced care.
At Nsambya, the family received devastating news.
“They told us it was severe poisoning. The poison had damaged his brain, and all other organs were failing. They said his chances of survival were very minimal,” his mother revealed.
With no ICU space available at Nsambya, the family desperately tried other facilities before taking him to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, where his condition continued to deteriorate. He later passed away.
Kanaabi’s death comes at the height of what many considered a promising boxing career.
The Jab Jab show tonight will pay a special tribute to fallen boxer champion Alex Kanabi.
The show will also stream live on @afromobileug.#NBSportUpdates #NBSportJabJab pic.twitter.com/t5rI69zBuz
— NBS Sport (@NBSportUg) January 10, 2026
