Winning is synonymous with Ivan Magomu, at school, club and country, but can he do it at the Kampala Old Boys?
A darling at St. Mary’s College Kisubi, Hana International School and Namilyango College, Magomu has gone on to endear more hearts at club level for the Black Pirates and the Uganda National 15s and 7s teams. With talks of a move to the Kampala Old Boys (KOBs), we break down the Impact Magomu would have on the Naguru club.
New life to an ageing squad
KOBs have experienced a silent descent in the post-COVID era. They last won the 2021 National 15s short league and haven’t lifted any major trophy since. It is undeniable that the majority of the main players have left their best years behind them, and this has only been made worse by departures and an inability to attract top talent.
While Pirates have been looking for ‘the next Magomu,’ KOBs have enjoyed a sprouting of flyhalves who have punished the Bweyogerere side on several occasions. Unfortunately, Calvin Gizamba and Josiah Ssempeke have failed to own that blue No. 10 shirt, leaving room for veterans like Joseph Aredo and James Ijongat to step in.
Magomu’s arrival would relieve the almost spent boots of the aforementioned club legends, not only at fly half, but at center as well. At KOBs, Magomu would find a functional backline of players like scrumhalf Stuart Mwayi, centers Ian Munyani and Justin Kimono, with a fullback like Karim Arinaitwe or Ibrahim Khemis, that aren’t a major shift from the setup he’s been playing in for over a decade.
As an individual, Magomu is long overdue for a fresh start and a new challenge. The last two years of his career have seen him being banned by the Uganda Rugby Union twice, and has lost the national team captaincy as well. Tearing the walls down and starting over somewhere new wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
What would Magomu leave behind?
Pirates have never been short of flyhalves. When the incredible William Nkore wasn’t available in the 2025 Uganda Cup, up stepped Isaac Massa. Other players like Jones Kamiza have similarly stepped up in that No. 10 shirt for the Pirates whenever called upon.
So, what shall the Pirates miss if Magomu were to join KOBs today? Magomu is a natural-born leader; he likes to be in charge of things. As a captain who watched his side win the Uganda Cup without him, one only wonders what his leadership could have added to that campaign.
Magomu has been the game-changer for the Pirates on several occasions. The freshest memory of him turning the fortunes around comes from that National 15s league final, where the game against the Hippos had stalled and was only decided in extra time, thanks to Magomu.
Overall, there is that aura about Magomu that simply can’t be replicated or replaced. The dressing room would miss him, so would the fans. Wherever he decides to go, he’ll carry that swagger with him, but if he decides to stay, we hope he never changes.