Situated in the Katabi-Busambaga suburb, 2 kilometers from the peninsular town of Entebbe, lies a rather idle and bare rocky piece of land. About 3 hectares are sandwiched by semi finished mansions on either side; a narrow murram road that runs straight off the Kampala-Entebbe Highway and the beautiful scenery of the sky blue Lake Victoria waters is envisaged in the vicinity.
This is the dream plot of land that Entebbe Rugby club dubbed the “Mongers” has acquired from the Entebbe Municipal authorities.
The Municipal Mayor, Vincent De Paul Kayanja, had promised to develop sports within the constituency and the land donation to Mongers is a promise fulfilled. “Development of sports infrastructure is one way of uplifting the standard of games in the Entebbe and the country at large”, Kayanja says.
Founded in 1999 by a group of students on vacation, Entebbe Mongers Rugby Club has been playing at the Entebbe Secondary School play ground, a fortress where the big game giants have struggled to register victories, thus earning the nick name “The House of Pain”.
Oscar Olaro, the Club’s Chairperson is grateful to everyone who has seen the club graduate from a mere leisure rugby side to a big competitive team in the country.” The beginning was tough and rough, I am so delighted for whoever has helped us reach this far”, Olaro, one of the team’s founding members reveals to Kawowo sports.
According to Monger’s chief coordinator who at times doubles as the team’s head of technical affairs, Kigongo Ssebalamu, the club is urging upon corporate companies within the Municipality and beyond to help develop the donated land into an ultra modern rugby stadium that will also have the club house with a state of art gymnasium, car parking yard, changing rooms, a bar and restaurant.
“We urge upon sponsors from near and far to help us develop this piece of land into an ultra- modern stadium”, Kigongo appeals. Construction on the new ground is set to commence soon as the official ground breaking ceremony is slated in a fortnight.
Just adjacent the play ground lies a fresh new site for the development of college structures for Merryland High school, Entebbe, which is set to relocate. Thus, this sports facility development gives the impetus for the school authorities to utilize the stadium once completed.
Christopher Damulira, a 43 year old resident in Katabi-Busambaga beams with excitement about the news of the pending development of the once neglected remote village.
“Personally, I am happy for the news that this sports ground will be developed. This means, my village will have access to free entertainment every weekend.” Damulira says with a grin flashed across his face.
Entebbe Mongers, who are currently bank rolled by paint giants, Sadolin in the Nile Special National Rugby League, have produced some of the finest rugby national team stars in Hellen Buteme, Christine Kizito, Ambrose Kakuru, Victor Wadia, Ronald Adigas, Andrew Olwenyi and a host of many other players who are called in the Elgon and Rwenzori teams that compete in the East African circuits.
