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The Transfer Window in Ugandan Rugby
When the 2019/20 season was cancelled by URU a fortnight ago, the Uganda rugby transfer window was declared open with effect immediately. However, there hasn’t been much of even a whisper yet about any club showing interest in any player. How long that will take to change, I can’t tell. But it got me thinking…
What is the typical transfer window like in Ugandan rugby? How are moves, if any, done during this window? Most importantly, being a predominantly amateur sport in the country, what could be the biggest influences of switches from one club to another or where to start one’s post-high school career.
To start with, it is important to note that most individuals play their entire careers in one club (or franchise) setup. And this seems to be how things are done in Uganda, but things are beginning to change slowly.
Moves are made after thinking about playing time, career ambitions and growth, work and school commitments. In addition, here are what I think could be the unmentioned factors that influence transfers and signings in Ugandan rugby:
- High school attended: Schools in Uganda have affiliations to rugby clubs, whose members train and coach the school teams in preparation for tournaments. Like Black Pirates and Kings College Budo, Rams and Makerere College School or Kobs and Namilyango College. A student who graduates from one of those schools will most certainly have that club on top of the list of possible destinations to continue their career.
- The Godfather project: Since most rugby clubs do not pay salary to their players, payment is offered in a different way. Especially for the young and coming players, in terms of sponsorship and mentorship. Students are given sports scholarships in schools, internship placements in companies through the club connections. And those looking for jobs have a similar chance. It is projects like these that attract players to the clubs as they look to secure their livelihoods alongside rugby.
- Family and friends: Joseph Aredo first played at Warriors because of his big brothers. Nkore, Kisiga and Emanzi were friends from St. Mary’s College Kisubi and all ended up at Pirates. Because of the need to feel at home, the influence of family and friends in Ugandan rugby is really strong when it comes to deciding which club to join.
- Chances of success: Heathens and Kobs are the most successful rugby clubs in Uganda. It goes without saying that these two clubs have a strong hand in the negotiations because of their historically high chances of success. Similarly, when Pirates won the treble during the 2017/18 season, they began to enjoy the same privileges. Everybody wants to join the winning team.
- Money: When Rhinos signed a UGX 74.4million sponsorship deal with Shell Rimula in 2016, they were the busiest in the transfer season that year. Two years later, Warriors signed a UGX 180milion deal with Dusupay that saw them assemble a strong team for the next season in less than 2 months. With money or the assumption of its abundance at a club, it is easy for players to make decisions to join the club. Sadly, like for the aforementioned clubs, when the allure of the money fades away, the players walk away.
For you:
- Some players have defied the normal trends by playing for numerous clubs within Uganda and across borders for their careers. Read about some of the top 5 on the list here.
- A list of the highest-earning rugby players in the world by position was published by UK rugby site Ruck. Some of these players earned these big contracts by making record-breaking moves from their clubs.
The last Uganda rugby transfer window was not a very busy one, but we saw some big moves nonetheless. Like Semwami joining Kobs from Kenya Harlequins, Stephen Alul switching the red of Buffaloes for that of Pirates and a nine-man assembly by Heathens.
By all standards, this year has been different from any that we’ve seen before. The question is, shall we see a different and exciting transfer window too?
Thanks for reading the Kawowo Rugby Switch this week. Reply this email or reach me personally via ernest@kawowo.com and let’s have a chat about the Uganda rugby transfer window.
