The 2020-2024 URU Strategic Plan Launched.

URU President Mr. Kayangwe Godwin, URU Hon.Secretary Odong Peter and URU CEO Ramsey Fidel Olinga at the launch of the 2020-2024 URU Strategic Plan at the Uganda Olympics Committee offices.

Members of the press at the launch of the 2020-2024 URU Strategic Plan.

Part of the summarised strategic plan.

The Strategic plan was launched to the members of the Press almost a fortnight ago and Rugby256 interacted with some members of the URU to get a better understanding of the overall plan and help break it down to the members of the public further.

In summary, the plan concedes that the fraternity has not yet really pushed the game forward. The plan will help drive Rugby into being the most popular sport in Uganda with an ‘unbeatable fan experience’. On where it will lead to it is summarized into 3 peaks (by 2023). Encourage mass participation and progression pathway. Strengthen the most iconic properties and events and finally empower the best people.

Goal 2023

The URU looks at making the sport as the most popular by 2023 with an unbeatable fan experience and to be the second most popular sport at all levels in Uganda. The planners are cognizant to the fact that Rallying and Basketball are itching for the same fans and that soccer is light years ahead but this is great start. The URU plan will require a complete paradigm shift where teams will have to go beyond the usual internal perspective but aim to delivering the ultimate spectacle for fans.

The plan to introduce the game to 100,000 new people by 2023 will be done in bits with next year’s target to get at least 25,000 new players largely focused on getting them at Primary schools. The URU borrows the World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby (GIR) model of Try, Play and Stay and has added the Perform part. At the Try stage 500 (each with 200players) primary schools will be targeted over the next 4 years and they will hopefully be absorbed into at least 125 (each with 80 players) Secondary Schools resulting into a total 10,000 players. At the Stay stage this will focus on tertiary and tier 2 clubs with each with a minimum of 40 players and hopefully 2000 retained at the Perform stage the plan looks at the representative sides and franchise rugby with a total of at least 600 performers.

Strengthen

The URU will push its top 5 properties to the top 10 sports properties and top 20 properties in all categories in the country. This is huge and very good for the game if it is achieved. The URU recognizes that 1st the products need more sensitization and 2nd there is a need to brand each property. 3rdly the plan will see the full engagement of all rugby fans and maintain databases. The URU will have to also engage the media in a better and professional manner and hopefully get a Broadcast and media partner. With these in place the partners and sponsors will see more value and continue supporting the further growth of the game.

The URU top 12 properties are:

MEN

· National XVs men

· Uganda Rugby Premier League

· The 7s

· National 7s team

· Uganda Cup

· Schools Super 8

· Futures League (Universities and Tertiary Institutions)

WOMEN

· National XVs team

· National 7s team

· XVs league

· Schools

· The Women’s 7s.

EMPOWER

The URU will have to ‘attract the most passionate people and provide them with the ideal environment to transform’ the game countrywide. This will involve adjusting bits of the administrative structures and recruit more staff to the Uganda Rugby Head Quarters (formerly the URU Secretariat). This will be alongside engaging the regional regions, and stakeholder associations in Uganda. Parts of the proposed structure are in place already while the rest will be phased out over the coming 3-5 years.

Rugby256 encourages all stakeholders to join hands with the URU to see the full implementation of the strategic plan. Clubs are a crucial part of this beautiful plan and may the best people not shy away. Time for talking and negative criticism is squarely in the past. We need to all come together and support our elected URU officials and the URU HQs staff.

*Rugby 256* salutes the entire rugby fraternity for the all they do for Rugby. Hope you enjoyed the Uganda Cup and Rugby World Cup 2019 as we start the Uganda Rugby Premier League let’s not forget to spread “The World Rugby Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect ......“ We always appreciate you liking our official facebook page @rugby256, instagram @rugby256er, twitter @rugby256 and subscribe to our Youtube channel @Rugby256TV Check out our blog too at rellrugby256.blogspot.com.

Biggest start ever of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League. (Part 2)

The Shell Rimula Rhinos' poster for their opening game against Stanbic Black Pirates. The game was meant to be hosted by Rhinos at Legends but was moved to the Kings Park due to unavoidable circumstances.

The Stanbic Black Pirates poster for their game against Shell Rimula Rhinos at the Kings Park Arena.

The Stanbic Black Pirates Squad for the 2019/20 Rugby Premier League.

Let us all keep our eyes on the prize. Each team must keep its  focus, train hardest, remain teachable, all teams need to have their A game and give their very best EVERY TIME. 

God gives us all these blessings but He is counting on us to Manage this season 2019 to 2020 well and play good rugby enjoy the campaign guys.

Other teams will surely throw as many spanners as is possible into the plans of these old rivals; Heathens and Kobs. Saturday will have different venues hosting the other games. Week number one games will see the returning Makerere Impis hosted by Warriors at 2:30 at the Kings Park in a change which was forced due to the unavailability of the Legends grounds. This will be after the Central league match slated for 12:30pm between Kifaru and Sailors. The Kifarus are the Shell Rimula Rhinos junior side as Sailors are to the Stanbic Black Pirates.

The Warriors seem they got a bit of distraction after losing some players during the transfer window and they wouldn’t ask for a better

fixture to kickoff the campaign than against the returning Makerere Impis. The Impis were promoted back to the Premiership after winning the Championship against a gallant Gulu Elephants earlier in the year. The resolve of the Impis’ resolve will be sternly tested by the Warriors.

The Kings Park Arena will also host the Shell Rimula Rhinos fixture against the Stanbic Pirates at 4:30pm. The Shell Rimula Rhinos lost to Stanbic Black Pirates during the Uganda Cup quarters and they will be

on the lookout to ensure their losing run to Pirates comes to a halt. The Shell Rimula Rhinos managed to hold onto most of the playing staff from the last campaign where they tickled with relegation. The Stanbic Pirates also managed to retain most of their players from last season and are still patiently waiting for their star players like Desire Ayera, Haruna Muhammed, Timothy Odong to fully recover. With a new Captain in Nathan Bwabale you wonder if they will reach the heights of 2017.

Across the road at Kyadondo, the Stallions will host Boks in the Central Rugby league clash at 2:30 pm which will curtain raise for Toyota Buffaloes vs. Plascon Mongers. The Mongers beat Buffaloes 18-12 in Entebbe in the recent Uganda Cup and they will be wary of a tricky Buffaloes at its base. The Buffaloes are also getting stronger but Mongers gave Kobs a run of their money in the semi finals before bowing out. This will be another big match.

In Jinja at the Dam Waters Rugby Club, hosts Hippos will play against the Mulago Rams at 4:30pm. This is another slippery tie with either side able to win it although the odds seem to favour the hosts. The Rams struggled a bit last year and lost by one point to the Impis in the Uganda Cup Shield 2 weeks ago. Both teams know each other well and both tinkered with relegation last season and they will go into the game each desperate for a win and maximum points.

We hope we shall see new records of attendances at all venues this year as we work hand in hand with stakeholders to improve on viewership and also recruitment of new players country wide.

Rugby256 wishes all the teams all the best. Let us all keep our eyes on the prize. Each team must keep its focus, train hardest, remain teachable, all teams need to have their A game and give their very best EVERY TIME.

God gives us all these blessings but He is counting on us to Manage this season 2019 to 2020 well and play good rugby enjoy the campaign guys.

*Rugby 256* salutes the entire rugby fraternity for the all they do for Rugby. Hope you enjoyed the Uganda Cup and Rugby World Cup 2019 as we start the Uganda Rugby Premier League let’s not forget to spread “The World Rugby Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect ......“ We always appreciate you liking our official facebook page @rugby256, instagram @rugby256er,

twitter @rugby256 and subscribe to our Youtube channel @Rugby256TV Check out our blog too at rellrugby256.blogspot.com.

Biggest start ever of the Nile Special Rugby Premier League. (Part 1)

A section of the Betway Kobs ‘Blue Army' line up left to right

Edgar Sseruwagi, Khemis Ibrahim, Brian Opara, Daniel Ortega, Aaron Jurua, Daudi Ssemwami before kickoff of the 2019 Uganda Cup finals at the Kings Park Arena, Bweyogerere.

A section of the Betway Kobs ‘Blue Army' line up left to right Daniel Ortega, Aaron Jurua, Daudi Ssemwami, Emmanuel Ecodu, Conrad Mukwaya, Ian Munyani, Justin Kimono, Philip Muhoozi, Wilobo Mukili

The Hima Cement Heathens' players in a huddle during the Uganda Cup final. At the extreme left is Scott '300' Oluoch who is back at Heathens with Shirt 1- Santos Ssenteza

Shirt 2-  Ronald Kanyanya

Tall one with dreads and shoulder on Kanyanya is Simon Olet(Aka Diego)

Players try to get used to the lights during the 'dry run' at Kyadondo last night. The pitch and lights are set for today's league opener.

The Kyadondo pitch dry run testing of the lights at the night of 28th November 2019.

The 4th set of floodlights being assembled by a technician.

3rd set of floodlights near Michael's roast zone.

The 2nd set of new floodlights being worked on by a technician.

The first set of floodlights at the main scoreboard corner. Kyadondo Rugby Club 28th November 2019.

The Hima Cement Heathens squad for the Premier League 2019/20.

The Betway Kobs team list for the 2019/20 Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League.

The Hima Cement Heathens pose donning their new Kit before the 2019 Uganda Cup at Kyadondo

The Betway Kobs poster for the Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League (NSSRPL) opening match.

The Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League Round 1 fixtures.

The URU President Godwin Kayangwe (L) receives a dummy cheque from Francis Nyende the Nile Special Stout brand manager at the press conference held at the Kyadondo Rugby Club on 28th November 2019. Others are KOB's Joseph Aredo (blue), Oscar Olaro URU Vice President-Technical and Heathens' Michael Wokorach in green.

Let us all keep our eyes on the prize. Each team must keep its  focus, train hardest, remain teachable, all teams need to have their A game and give their very best EVERY TIME. 

God gives us all these blessings but He is counting on us to Manage this season 2019 to 2020 well and play good rugby enjoy the campaign guys.

On Friday at 8pm will mark the start of the 2019/20 Nile Special Rugby Premier League with the defending champions Hima Cement Heathens hosting the 2019 Uganda Cup champions; Betway Kobs at the Kyadondo

Rugby Club. It is the first time in over 2 decades with these giants opening the league campaign. It is the first time ever we are seeing a game kicking off at 8pm in Uganda for Rugby. This certainly bodes well with a pillar in the new URU Strategic plan which promises to ensure fans have great unforgettable experiences.

The old rivalry between the Heathens and Kobs is legendary and you can be sure to see most of the retired players across the years at the grounds alongside new fans and neutrals. The hype for the game has been very good with both sides itching for a victory. The Uganda Cup finals are still fresh in the fans’ memory and it will be anybody’s guess who wins this one. The two teams have been the most dominant over the years winning all but two (2) leagues. The disruption of their almost ironclad grasp on the league came in 1996 and in 2017 where the Makerere Impis and Black Pirates won respectively.

The Heathens have the lion’s share with 14 titles and Kobs with 12 according to statistics released by the URU. Will either add on these figures? Well other teams will have a say in all the proceedings in the 18 long weeks. In the Uganda Cup final held a fortnight ago, the Betway Kobs shocked the Hima Cement Heathens with a last gasp try and a neat conversion by Ivan Kirabo to take the knockout cup with a narrow 15-14 victory at the Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere. Whoever wins this opening game will have a slight psychological edge on Friday and also going forward.

If the Uganda Cup final is anything to go by then expect sharper skills to open up each other’s mean defences. No player can afford to blink with the ball still active on the pitch. You snooze, you lose. End of the story. Wait for another 11 weeks to make amends if lucky. We do not expect a big difference between these almost equally matched sides and probably the only bonus point on offer will be for the losing team which is awarded when and if you are within 7 points on the scoreboard.

Rugby256 visited the Kyadondo grounds last week and mid this week and we are impressed with the work done so far by Kyadondo Rugby Club. It is our wish that this will be the trend at other venues in the near future. Friday night games in Lugogo among the biggest rivals will see the hosting facilities stretched further than some Test matches held previously.

On the pitch, the teams which will make lesser mistakes will have a good chance to winning the match. Both sets of players will have to adjust quickly to how the centre referee manages the breakdown situation. The knocks will be massive as each side tries to dominate possession and gain further territory. Recent history shows that a lead by half time is ideal but not necessary to ensure victory after the exhausting 80 minutes.

The timing of tactical substitutions will also count and the new XV’s Betway Kobs’ Head Coach; Davis Kiwalabye will be up against the tactical acumen and experience of Head Coach Athiyo Nyango and Tolbert Onyango. Davis has since won the National Sevens Circuit and the Uganda Cup and many Kobs’ fans will be hoping he can do a triple by winning the Premiership in his time as the Kobs’ Head Coach. The Heathens will definitely not entertain those thoughts.

(END OF PART 1)

*Rugby 256* salutes the entire rugby fraternity for the all they do for Rugby. Hope you enjoyed the Uganda Cup and Rugby World Cup 2019 as we start the Uganda Rugby Premier League let’s not forget to spread “The World Rugby Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect ......“ We always appreciate you liking our official facebook page @rugby256, instagram @rugby256er, twitter @rugby256 and subscribe to our Youtube channel @Rugby256TV Check out our blog too at rellrugby256.blogspot.com.

Uganda Rugby League Champions

The Uganda Rugby Union through its social media channels recently released the ‘Roll of Honor’ which showed that the Hima cement Heathens have a total of 14 titles, Betway Kobs with 12 and both the Makerere Impis and Stanbic Black Pirates with 1 each. This immediately sparked debates all over the various social media platforms with some

strong deference and dismissal of the records.

Rugby256 decided to bring the discussion on this forum because we want to help set the record straight for once and for all. We would also like to know your opinion on this matter.

We have started the chat by quoting former Kobs Captain and Chairman, Mr. Kasasira Martin and Dr. Guma Sam the former Makerere Impis Chairman.

The bone of contention was that old story about the 1996 League winners and when did the league officially start.

Martin didn’t hesitate by dismissing the stats thus;

“Impis didn't win it in '96. And Kobs won the league in '90. - John Kiwanuka captained that side, I warmed the bench with Simon Olok, Alex Senoga, Mark Rumanyika and Ben (Elepu?). Okot played that game in fact. Heathens captain was Chris Outram. Nile, ANC, Impis made up the Other teams in the league that season. So, that'd be 14 a piece to the big boys. Good to know that there are other clubs having a dabble at this championship winning thing. All the best to them.”

Dr. Guma Sam countered thus:

“In 1996, the last game of the league was between Kobs and Impis. Makerere University had closed for the long holidays a week before. It was a winner takes all tie. A number of Impis players had 4th or recess term and were still on campus and many others had gone home for holidays. Communication was tricky those days i.e. no mobile phones and hardly any home phones. On the day by 2pm a few Impis players had arrived by 2pm at KRUFC for the game. The Kobs coach was anxious that Impis would fail to raise a full squad quickly organised and drove to campus to pick up more Impis players. By 5pm Impis had a full side and the game started. Impis won the game and took all the points. That

evening the league table disappeared from the notice board at KRUFC and there was no official declaration of the winner. The then fixtures secretary didn't want to know so common knowledge prevailed and the press rightly declared Impis the league winner. The battles between Impis and Kobs continued till 1999. In 1998 Kobs beat Impis on the final day of the season against all odds to lift the league title and in 1999 Impis needed to beat Pirates by 70 points to win the league. This was a very achievable back in the day but the then Kobs little brothers came and played snail pace rugby to kill time and deny Impis

The Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier League Trophy at the launch of the 2019/20 Premier League and announcement of new soonsors: Nile Special Stout.

2007 Pirates after a win over Heathens at the former Kampala Rugby Football Union Club now Legends. The team was coached by Herbert Wafula standing 2nd on the left. The Kisumu RFC coach Brian Makalama is standing 3rd to extreme right ahead of Issa Issa in a white. The Pirates won the Uganda Cup that year and had to wait 10 years before they won another major title.

Dr. Tony Acato's old Impis jersey. Still intact more than 20 years later. Tony Acato was a winger for Livingstone Hall, Makerere Impis and the Rugby Cranes.  If any Vet has an old jerseys it would be fan to share its picture and caption with us for Rugby Jersey archives and the good memories it carries along

1999 the Makerere Impis players line up to clap out the Black Pirates after a game at the old 'graveyard'. From left to right; Dr. Deo Munube, Humphrey Owino (RIP), Michael 'speedy' Ochieng, Dr. Tony Acato and Robert Omuna.

Kobs vs Heathens in another early 90s league game. Edward Kitaka and Dr Okot (both Kobs-green)about to contest a lineout. In the middle of them is Jerry Burley of Heathens.

Early 90s. Yayiro Kasasa about to kickoff against the DHL Heathens at the Kampala Rugby Union Football Club (KRUFC) current legends in a league match. In the foreground in white boots is the legendary Edward Kitaka Kizito (RIP). Kasasa Yayiro with ball and Edward Kitaka there was Emmanuel Mwaka, Allan Kitaka aka Kitsey, Elly Serwanga and Robert Gira. Heathens side was Ruben Ambicha, Chris Kasamba, Dave Cliff and Jeff Tudor.

the title at MUK grounds. Impis was a power house in the late 90s and hopefully someday that form will be rediscovered. Jah Bless you all.”

Below is the ‘Roll of Honour’ as released earlier in the week. Have your say.

Past Winners of the Nile Special Rugby League :

1991: Heathens

1992: Heathens

1993: Heathens

1994: Not held (we will update you why soon)

1995: Kobs

1996: Impis

1997: Kobs

1998: Kobs

1999: Kobs

2000: Kobs

2001: Kobs

2002: Heathens

2003: Kobs

2004: Heathens

2005: Heathens

2006: Kobs

2007: Kobs

2008: Kobs

2009: Heathens

2010: Heathens

2011: Heathens

2012: Heathens

2013: Heathens

2014: Kobs

2015: Heathens

2016: Kobs

2017: Heathens

2018: Pirates

2019: Heathens

League titles

Heathens: 14

Kobs:12

Impis 1

Pirates: 1

Rugby256 would want to know your opinion.

*Rugby 256* salutes the entire rugby fraternity for the all they do for Rugby. Hope you enjoyed the Uganda Cup and Rugby World Cup 2019 as we start the Uganda Rugby Premier League let’s not forget to spread “The World Rugby Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect ......“ We always appreciate you liking our official facebook page @rugby256, instagram @rugby256er,

twitter @rugby256 and subscribe to our Youtube channel @Rugby256TV Check out our blog too at rellrugby256.blogspot.com.

Uganda Rugby Sevens at the 2019 Africa Sevens Championship.

Earlier days of training for the Uganda 7s team this year outside the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Nambole. Standing extreme left is the Sprinting coach Ali Gaimoko.

The team Earlier yesterday at Entebbe before they flew out

Opening round for some teams.

Uganda at the Safari 7s.

Official logo for the 2019 Championship.

Coach Tolbert Onyango at the 2019 Safari 7s.

2017 Africa Rugby Sevens Champions at Legends Rugby Club at Kampala.

The Uganda Seven’s rugby team jetted to Johannesburg today where they will play it out with 13 other African teams for the African Sevens Championship which will be held from 8th to 9th November under a new and similar format to that used at the 2018 World Cup Sevens in Sans Francisco, USA.

This year’s competition will also double as the 2020 Olympics Qualifiers with a single slot for the African Champion. Teams which will finish 2nd and 3rd will have another chance to qualify at the Repechage stage of the process which will be held on 20th and 21st June 2020. The Rugby Sevens at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Games will played from the 27th July to 1st August 2020.

In last year’s Africa Sevens Championship, Uganda surrendered its 2 years’ grip on the title to Zimbabwe Cheetahs (19-24) in a tense semi final in Tunisia. Zimbabwe went ahead and beat Kenya 17-05 in the final. This year’s competition will be held at Bosman Stadium, a neutral venue since South Africa already qualified as one of the top 4 teams in last season’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series alongside Fiji, USA and New Zealand.

Based on last year’s results, Zimbabwe are ranked as seed 1 followed by Kenya (seed 2), Uganda (seed 3), Madagascar (seed 4), Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Namibia, Ghana, Botswana, Mauritius, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

The opening round just like last year in Sans Francisco will be a knockout stage on Friday 8th November. The 7 teams which win the opening round plus the best overall loser will head to the Championship quarters stage. The teams are paired thus for the opening round: Zimbabwe vs. Nigeria (10:00am EAT), Kenya vs. Ivory Coast (10:22am), Uganda vs. Mauritius (10:44), Madagascar vs. Botswana (11:06am), Zambia vs. Ghana (11:28am), Tunisia vs. Namibia (11:50am) and finally Senegal vs. Morocco (12:12pm).

The teams which will lose at the Opening round will continue participation at the trophy stage where the teams will be classified from position 9 to 14.

The teams which will win their opening round games will be placed in 2 pools, A and B thus;

Pool A: Winner M1, Winner M4, Winner M5, Best loser

Pool B: Winner M2, Winner M3, Winner M6, Winner M7

The Championship teams will play 2 extra games in their pool on Friday. On Saturday the teams will complete their pool games and proceed to the semi finals stage of the competition. The Games will be live on the Rugby Africa Facebook page.

The Uganda team has a fairly good chance to win the opening round and go all the way. It is easier to qualify for the Olympics and it will only take Uganda to win the Championship. The biggest threat to Uganda will obviously be Kenya and Zimbabwe. These 2 teams have won the African Championship thrice a piece while Uganda has won it twice (2016 and 2017).

Before departing to South Africa Head Coach Tolbert Onyango stated that the team is ready to battle and this was owing to the mix of youth and experience. He was hopeful that the team will make Uganda proud.

The Uganda Rugby Men's 7s squad:

Ian Munyani

Massa Isaac

Ogena Pius

Aaron Oforywoth

Adrian Kasito

Aredo Joseph

Levis Ocen

Ssebuliba Lawrence

Odongo James

Kevin Kerumundu

Philip Wokorach

Okorach Michael (Captain).

Management Team:

Coach: Tolbert Onyango

Team manager: Michael Wandera

Physiotherapist: Noah Kayongo.

*Rugby 256* salutes the entire rugby fraternity for the all they do for Rugby. Hope you enjoyed Rugby World Cup 2019. Do not forget to spread “The World Rugby Core Values: Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline and Respect......“ We always appreciate you liking our official

facebook page @rugby256, instagram @rugby256er,

twitter @rugby256 and subscribe to our Youtube channel @Rugby256TV

Check out our blog too at rellrugby256.blogspot.com.