The 2025 rugby year began on a challenging note. First, the Uganda Cup, which was meant to open the 2024/2025 season, was postponed and later played at the end of the year; then the league got off to a murky start, amidst uncertainty.
For the first 3 game weeks in January, the league was self-funded as the main sponsor was grappling with internal issues within their organisation. Regardless, the games were played, but that set the tone for the rest of the year. Here are some of the low moments in Ugandan Rugby from the year 2025.
The passing of Ronnie Kayondo
On February 9th, the Uganda rugby fraternity woke up to the sad news of the passing of rising Kampani Eagles flyhalf, Ronnie Kayondo. The late Kayondo collapsed at Kyadondo Rugby Club when his team was playing the Buffaloes in the National 15s championship.
He was immediately rushed to Kampala Hospital, from where he succumbed to his injury in the night. The rugby fraternity eulogised him and held a memorial service where his teammates shared the other side of him that only they knew. He was laid to rest on February 11th at his ancestral home in Kaduggala-Mirembe. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Rugby Cranes’ poor performance at the Rugby Africa Cup
Uganda hosted the Rugby Africa Cup in July for the second consecutive year. As usual, the organisation of the events off the pitch was top-notch from the Local Organising Committee, but when it came to the preparation of the playing aspects, that’s where cracks started to show.
A provisional training squad of approximately 50 players was summoned, then reduced to 36, from which the tournament’s 28-man squad would be selected. Coach Fred Mudoola was charged with the herculean task of winning the Rugby Africa Cup and ultimately taking Uganda to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. To achieve this, the Uganda Rugby Union acquired the services of South African consultants. First came Coach Cornelius Nollis Marais from the Bulls in February, followed by former Springbok, Zane Kirchner, in May.
These consultants joined a strong 5 man coaching team, but their impact was barely felt. In fact, the Rugby Cranes played worse than they did in the previous campaign, being knocked down a further 2 spots from 5th to 7th. To add insult to injury, on the final day of the tournament, the organizers moved the relegation playoff involving the hosts, from the earlier-slated 10 a.m. slot to 2 p.m. without any sporting justification.
Jinja Hippos in shambles
2025 was a year of mixed fortunes for the Jinja Hippos. They had finally cracked the 15s code, reaching the National 15s championship and holding the Pirates to a tie in regular time. They were the side with the most feared scrum in the game and a backline that could execute set plays in their sleep.
All this progress came crumbling down when the players decided to sit out the National 7s campaign until their grievances were addressed. The disgruntlement stemmed from administrative issues the club was facing with the return of Jonan Manzi, a founding member of Hippos Rugby Club. The players disagreed with his leadership, hence the industrial action, which led to a forgettable 7s season for the 2022 champions. Intervention from the Uganda Rugby Union and the Government of Uganda through Hon. Balam Barugahara, the State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, was not enough to save the club that is now facing an imminent mass exodus of players.
Lack of test matches
Despite a poor showing in last year’s Elgon Cup and this year’s Rugby Africa Cup, the Rugby Cranes 15s deserved to play more test matches in 2025. The Elgon Cup had become a mainstay on the international calendar between Uganda and Kenya, with the latter being dominant in the recent encounters. This fixture is an opportunity for young and new players to put up their hand and represent their country, as well as learn from the experienced players for a smooth transition into the next generation.
In 2023, Uganda opened up channels with Tunisia Rugby and it was hoped that those test matches would be played on an annual basis. This year, the tests were slated for June for both the men and women, but they were postponed and later not played at all. This means that the Rugby Cranes have played 3 test matches (2 losses and 1 win) in 2025, while the Ladies played 6 matches (4 wins and 2 losses) in 2025. In comparison, the Kenya Simbas played only 4 test matches in the same period. The number of matches is way below the mark for nations with World Cup aspirations.
Ivan Magomu banned, again
In 2024, Ivan Magomu was summoned for a disciplinary hearing after he took to the social media platform X to air out grievances over player welfare and image rights. He received a six-match ban and returned just in time for the championship playoffs. Then, in August of that year, he was slapped with another 6-month ban from all rugby-related activities for allegedly bringing the game into disrepute and attacking match officials.
After the two suspensions in 2024, the standoff between Magomu and the Uganda Rugby Union was once again in the limelight in 2025 when he was accused of attacking a Schools’ Rugby official in Mbale. Magomu was once again found guilty of misconduct, and this time he risked a 12-month ban unless he went for a recommended 3 month counseling program and formally apologised to the official.
Regardless of which side of the aisle you are on, you can’t deny that this recurrent theme in Uganda Rugby is becoming ugly and untenable.