As a secondary school student in his days at Namilyango College, Charles Tomusange didn’t see himself playing rugby at a big stage.
He tried his talents in both football and volleyball for his class and left the College without featuring in a rugby encounter, probably because of the high competition in the game at the most successful rugby playing school.
He moved to Kyambogo College in his senior three and it is then that the urge to take the game seriously developed.
He was to later move to Hana Mixed and that’s where his serious rugby career started, featuring for the title winning team alongside the likes of Philip Wockorach.
“I got inspired at Hana where I met the likes of Phillip (Wockorach) and Alfred (Bijik) who made me like the game better,”
He has since grown into one of the best flankers in the Ugandan league and his short spell at Ezeey Money Rhino saw him attract the eye of Heathens who poached him to Kyadondo in 2015.
“I basically switched to Heathens because I wanted to get more exposure and play rugby at a better level,” he adds.
Tomusange had in his earlier days played for Stallions, another Kyadondo based side and a return to the venue was one he was ready and willing to welcome.
“It was an easy decision for me; Heathens is a club everyone would wish to play for,”
Unfortunately for the 23 year old, his first game in a Heathens jersey saw him stretched off with an injury in a game his new side lost to Kenyan side Kabras Sugar in the off season.
But, the youngster is ready to take any given chance he gets from head coach Robert Sseguya in the national league that resumes with a hefty tie with Black Pirates on Saturday afternoon.
A national team call up is also one the youngster will be hoping for before he retires from the game.
He draws his inspiration from Australian open side flanker and teammate Arthur Mukama.
Name: Charles Tomusange
Nickname: Tomzo
Age: 23 yrs
Schools: Namilyango college, Kyambogo college, Hana mixed SS. University; Kyambogo University
Former Teams: Stallions, Rhinos Current teams; Hima heathens, Kyambogo University
Position: Flanker/Lock.
Favorite PlayerS: Arthur Mukama, David Pocock
Inspiration: God’s favor that has seen me through thick and thin, as well as my parents who are so supportive, close friends that always push me to work.
Targets in the game: To continue developing as a player and win trophies with Hima Heathens.