The BIG news is here. Last night, Uganda Rugby Union officially ended the 2019/20 season. I have summarised for you the important things you should know from the resolutions made by URU in this newsletter.
🇺🇬 Happy 58th Independence Day, Uganda. Together, in this week’s discussion, let’s revisit some moments in Uganda’s rugby history. Some of the events and moments I have chosen are those I feel laid significant milestones for Ugandan rugby and also, left fond memories that we look back to.
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Finally… URU officially ends 2019/20 season
URU has finally closed the curtains on the 2019/20 rugby season. The decision was announced to the club representatives and the general public on Wednesday night via a Zoom meeting hosted by the union.
A summary of the resolutions made:
- The 2019/20 season has been concluded. Winners have been declared for competitions which were completed or where teams had played an equal number of games while others have been nullified.
- For the Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League, Heathens won their 15th national league title and completed a successful defence of the title. There will be no relegation or promotion from the league.
- Clubs and top-performing individuals will receive prize money from the league sponsor (Nile Special Stout). This will be UGX 36.5 million for the position attained and UGX 4 million for the individual honours. A financial audit of the clubs will be carried out to determine how much each of the clubs will receive from part of the UGX 100 million going directly to them.
- The transfer window is open and will close two weeks before the return date of the new season.
- The proposed return date is January 23, 2021.
Full Report: Uganda Rugby Union calls an end to the 2019-20 season
Read the full report on the resolutions announced by URU here. Details include the status of all competitions and how the prize money is to be distributed to the recipients.
🇺🇬 Happy 58th Independence!
- Schools Rugby Independence Cup
Schools Rugby used to hold such a high place in Uganda not so long ago. From Kimono, Philip Wokorach, Marvin Odongo and others who went on to represent the country to the likes of Dexter, Kishato, Edward Waduwa and many more whose careers did not go far beyond high school for various reasons, the memories of thrilling rugby are still fresh in the minds of many.
The Independence Cup was the biggest sevens tournament in schools rugby. On October 9, only 12 of the best rugby players would get the chance to board the shuttle from school to Kyadondo Rugby Grounds (which used to host the tournament in front of a full capacity crowd) to play in this tournament. Being the last event of the calendar year, it was also an opportune platform for the students and schools to settle scores with each other before sitting their final exams.
But now, the spectacle of the Schools Rugby Independence Cup, which attracted Kenyan schools sometimes, is only a distant memory.
- Elgon Cup 2002: Uganda’s first victory against Kenya in Kenya
Five days before Independence Day in 2002, the Uganda Rugby Cranes, led by captain Herbert Wafula, made history by beating Kenya Simbas XV at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi. After a quiet first half in which no try was scored by both teams, the visitors led by 15-00. However, the match opened up in the second half but Uganda held on for a 29-21 victory that stunned the home fans and sent the visiting fans into wild celebrations.
This week’s quiz question:
In which year was Uganda Rugby Union formally registered as a World Rugby affiliate?
Answer is at the end of this newsletter.
- Bamburi Super Rugby Series
Between 2003 and 2014 when it existed, the Bamburi Super Rugby Series was the perfect concept that brought together the best players and coaches in the three East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Through the up to 8 franchises that competed, Bamburi Super Rugby Series was a platform where the national team hopefuls were tested and prepared for national duty.
Uganda joined the series by entering two select national sides as preparation for international tests but later adopted a proper club franchise system. And this is where the success in the series emerged with Rwenzori being the first Ugandan team to make the finals in 2012.
Despite the tournament being strongly dominated by Kenyan teams, it is dearly missed by all countries, especially Uganda who have seen the divide between them and their neighbours grow wider.
There are lots and lots of memories and events in Ugandan rugby that we can add to this list. And I would like to hear what your fondest are.
For You:
Ayikoru named among Rugby Africa’s ‘Unstoppables’
Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes player Samiya Ayikoru was named among Rugby Africa’s ‘Unstoppables’. She, and 11 others, are now part of a World Rugby campaign that aims to grow women in rugby by sharing their individual stories to inspire others to join the sport.
Quiz answer: 1997
Thank you for reading this week’s Kawowo Rugby Switch newsletter. Reply to this email or reach me personally via ernest@kawowo.com and let’s have a chat as we celebrate Uganda’s Independence Day.
