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.

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