Both the Black Pirates and the Heathens will head into this weekend’s Uganda Rugby Cup final with an unbeaten record.
The two sides have won all their six games en route the final. Yet, even with such a closely matched display, Pirates are favourites. The cup final climaxes what has been a busy and loaded year of rugby, a timely moment to evaluate the players who have made waves in the 2025 season.
Just like they were in the Nile Special Premiership, which they won in May, the Pirates have shown a ruthless streak in the cup. Key to much of the Pirates’ success has been the strong pack, something for which the club must be credited.
The club has brought fourth a host of youthful props like Alvin Rukundo and Ariho Muhumuza, which has deepened the squad depth and given Pirates options. But this has gone a long way in bringing the best out of Frank Kidega (lock) and Alex Aturinda (flanker and eighth man).
The duo have been instrumental in being pivotal in Pirates’ attacks because of their consistent ball carries, but also their impressive tackling ability. It is difficult to complete the Kidega and Aturinda puzzle without adding Sydney Gongodyo (lock/flanker) to the equation.
It is on the basis of their application that they also made the national team squad during the Rugby Africa Cup in July. To have them considered for the player of the year award will surprise few, although, one of them, perhaps, stands a realistic chance to this gong.
Aturinda has probably been one of the most impressive and consistent players in the land this year. He has done it in both the 15s and 7s with great effect. On the other hand, Kobs’ Andrew Odhiambo has vindicated his club’s management for signing him from the Jinja Hippos.
The flanker has been a good ball carrier, making up for the departure of Robert Aziku and Wilobo Mokili, who joined the Victoria University Sharks. Together with Simon Makumbi, Kobs’ skipper, Odhiambo has boosted the strength of the Blue Army’s pack, which, had it not been for Collins Kimbowa and the youthful Blair Ayebazibwe on the front row.
But, how can one forget the over-60 per cent efficiency of Kobs’ half-back Joseph Aredo’s kicking boot this year? Even with the Rugby Cranes, Aredo impressed in July despite seeming to play a peripheral role. Perhaps it is easy for many to have forgotten the exploits of the Jinja Hippos this year.
The club has been troubled by administrative wrangles since they lost the league final game to the Pirates in May. Hippos were late comers in the Sevens championship, and hardly put up a challenge for the title, and in the Uganda Cup, the Toyota Buffaloes were more robust in their quarterfinal clash two weeks ago.
Yet, Hippos’ Fahad Maidoo and James Okello on the front-row were massively good. They boasted of the strongest pack because of that duo, while fly-half Yasin Waiswa did not only score many points off his boot, his ball passing dazzled and saw him earn a Cranes call-up.
Heathens’ league campaign stuttered, which saw them finish in the semifinals at the hands of Pirates. Despite that, the club provided a platform for Sylvester Munguachel. The youthful front-row player showed that his future as a hooker is bright, as he showcased good ball throw-in technique.
But, at the same time, because of his bulky nature, he proved to be a handful to most of his opponents in the tackle. That said, the rise of Julius Oyuk at Heathens has not gone unnoticed. In the same vein, Buffaloes rugby club are one such club attempting to get onto equal footing with the likes of Kobs, Heathens and Pirates.
Although it is clear that they are a work in progress, Buffaloes have been so competitive giving the established status-quo a real run for its money. Much of that success has come as a result of the half-back skills of Liam Walker and Humphrey Ndahura, supported by Daniel Otim and Fatmose Watmon’s finishing.
On the other hand, in the women’s division, the Thunderbirds are back from the dead, something that should worry the Black Pearls, who have dominated women’s rugby over the last four years. It showed in the league’s final game in May, where the Pearls won it by the skin of their teeth.
Yet, this was not before they had really suffered a great pounding from the Thunderbirds, only to hang onto their first leg advantage to win on aggregate score. Otherwise, Samiya Ayikoru, Yvonne Najjuma, Comfort Angayika and the speedy Janat Nandudu have been key in coach Kigongo Ssebalamu’s team and its revival.
They showed that by winning the women’s Sevens title, but also dominated the call-ups in national women’s teams, both 15s and 7s. That is not to suggest that the rest of the teams did not have some class acts. Bushira Namutebi, a half-back at the Pearls, had a good showing, just like Lydia Namabiro her team-mate, when she returned from injury.
However, the Avengers struggled a lot in the 15s this year, although their duo of Fazira Namukwaya and Maimuna Nassozi carried the team. Equally, Nile Rapids can only be proud of Tina Akello and her exploits this year.
Just last weekend, she played a key part in inspiring her team to a 24-22 win over the Avengers in the semi-finals of the women’s Uganda Cup. Her team are overwhelming favourites to beat the She Wolves of Mbale this weekend in the final.
