Rugby

Enterprise Cup 2026: A poor bargain for Ugandan sides

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

The return of the revived Enterprise Cup was announced last November, with the top 4 sides from Uganda joining at the quarterfinal stage.

According to Uganda Rugby Union (URU) officials, Uganda’s representatives were determined using the Uganda Cup rankings. The Black Pirates won that competition in December, defeating Heathens in the final, while KOBs had a slimmer losing margin in the semifinals, compared to the Buffaloes. The final top 4 rankings: Pirates, Heathens, KOBs and Buffaloes.

At the Kenyan end, KCB Rugby had the biggest winning margin in the Kenya quarterfinals, followed by Kabras, Menengai Oilers (who received a 20-point walkover) and the record winners, Nondescript. The final top 4 rankings: KCB, Kabras, Oilers and Nondies.

Earlier communication to the clubs indicated the format as follows;

Kenya 3 vs. Uganda 2
Kenya 1 vs. Uganda 4
Uganda 3 vs. Kenya 2
Uganda 1 vs. Kenya 4

Under this arrangement, the top-ranked teams would be rewarded for finishing highest by playing the lower-ranked sides from across the border. However, with the new arrangement, the best from either side play the best, much to the disadvantage of the Ugandans, who are miles behind their Kenyan counterparts.

This ultimately creates a situation where the best-ranked sides from Kenya are far too strong for the Ugandans, leading to a Kenya-only semi-final stage. For context, the Buffaloes in Uganda have never won a 15s title, whether in the league or cup competition. They face a Nondies side with 25 Enterprise Cups.

At the top, Kabras and KCB have dominated the Enterprise Cup, making it to multiple finals. On the other hand, the Pirates boast of 3 league and cup titles respectively in their 30-year existence, while the Heathens, who are the most decorated side in Uganda, and the KOBs, who are right behind them in accolades, complete the top 3.

Heathens and KOBs have been a shell of themselves in the past 2 seasons, which makes competing in the Enterprise Cup an uphill task. However, the Ugandan sides have to start somewhere, even if it takes thrashing in the initial ties.

This is not to demoralise the Ugandans, but to simply point out that if they had a slim chance in the original proposed format, they now stand none at all with the announced fixtures.

Quarterfinals, 21st March

Uganda:

Black Pirates vs. KCB Rugby
Heathens vs. Kabras

Kenya:

Menengai Oilers vs. KOBs
Nondescripts vs. Buffaloes

The post Enterprise Cup 2026: A poor bargain for Ugandan sides appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Rugby

Kakira’s growing pains continue with defeat to Buffaloes

Published

6 days ago

February 24, 2026

Bryce Mullins

Kakira Simbas rough start to life in the Rugby Premiership continued with a 31-00 defeat to Buffaloes on Saturday at Kyadondo.

The Simbas had an early points opportunity, but John Echeru skewed the penalty barely three minutes into the game.

Twelve minutes later, Ronald Ogwang went over with Yasin Waiswa converting the try. Buffaloes would make use of the numerical advantage with Aron Tukei grounding after Richard Wassajja was sent to the bin. While Waiswa skewed the conversion, the Buffaloes took a 12-00 lead to the halftime break.

The second half was one-way traffic with hooker Meddie Kibirigge powering over thirteen minutes after the restart, shortly followed by Tukei’s second of the game, both converted by Waiswa.

Winger Fat Moses Watmon completed the try-scoring with fifteen minutes to play in the dominant performance from the Buffaloes.

The post Kakira’s growing pains continue with defeat to Buffaloes appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Rugby

Why KOBs will host Hippos away from Legends

Published

1 week ago

February 21, 2026

Logan Mclaughlin

KOBs RFC has called Legends Rugby Grounds home for the better part of their 63-year existence, and shall continue to do so even after hosting Hippos at a new location.

Legends, formerly known as Kampala Rugby Club, has recently been in the news amid uncertainty about its future as a sports ground. Reports indicate that the alleged new owner of the property fancies a hotel or modern shopping complex over a sports facility. Despite the closure of the bar and restaurant, the grounds have remained open for sports and events.

KOBs hosted all their league and Uganda Cup home games at Legends in 2025, and now, for their first home game of the 2026 league, they have opted for the 5D Ranch facility in Bulindo, Kira Municipality.

“The move to Kira was because Legends was booked for the weekend and we couldn’t match the money of the other guys interested in using it, so the easiest option was Kira,” remarked Chairman Darren Rutagwera when asked about the change.

Rutagwera, however, confirmed that Legends shall remain as the home ground of the Kampala Old Boys and their loyal fans.

“As far as the agreement we have with the landlord, we shall still use Legends as our home ground,” he added.

KOBs have gone winless in their first two games of the season, registering a loss against Black Pirates on opening day, followed by a 10-10 draw against the Victoria Sharks at Kyadondo. They shall host the Hippos on Saturday, February 21, at 2:00 p.m. in Kira.

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