In their quest for a season’s double, the Black Pirates have to first dispatch a stubborn Makerere Impis side.
The National Premiership 15s title win was followed by an abysmal National 7s campaign, and now, the Black Pirates have made their intentions known in the Uganda Cup by fielding the strongest sides possible and putting up high scores.
Impis, on the other hand, have regained promotion to the top-tier 15s league and are using this Uganda Cup to test their relatively young and inexperienced squad against the big boys.
Pirates went unbeaten in the group stage of the Uganda Cup, unleashing wrath on the Kigezi Silverbacks and the Walukuba Barbarians, and only facing their biggest challenge against the Rams.
Despite what many described as a good fight, the Impis lost to Heathens in their first Uganda Cup game, but put up a statement win against the Victoria Sharks, to essentially increase their chances of advancing from the group.
When the two sides clash on Friday at King’s Park, it is going to be the first time they meet in almost two years (since April 2024). That game ended 41-13, but the score doesn’t tell the full story. The Pirates went 12 points ahead early in the first half, before Impis attempted a comeback in the game. A Benjamin Mukisa penalty pulled back 3 points, followed by a Prince Marvin Bwire try and conversion by the former. Mukisa then added another penalty, but the Pirates proved too strong for an Impis side that was going through a transition at the time.
Worthy to note, the Impis have never picked up a win against the Pirates at the King’s Park Arena, where they return to in the Uganda Cup to make a case for themselves, on whether they are ready to take on the bigger sides during next year’s Rugby Premiership.
In this rejuvenated and youthful Impis side, operate seasoned campaigners like Henry Nsekuye, Pius Mpoza and Clive Lumu, who will hope to inspire the youngsters to a historical win and run in the Uganda Cup.
