The last time the Heathens won a 15s game of rugby was on March 14 against the Victoria Sharks, which is more than a month ago.

During that stretch, the Heathens have lost to the Buffaloes, Kabras Sugar RFC in the Enterprise Cup, and the KOBs just before the league break.

The three losses are uncharacteristic of the most decorated club in Ugandan rugby, and point to a crisis that is yet to be addressed by coach Tolbert Onyango and his charges.

On the other hand, the Rhinos have only managed one win in seven games so far this season, as they’ve struggled to find suitable replacements for players like Allan Olango and Davis Shimwa, who they lost during the transfer market.

The poor run of games should be a cause for concern for coach Martial Tchumkam, who has to either dig his side out of the relegation playoff spots or brace them for a gruelling relegation playoff battle if things do not change.

However, this is likely not to be the weekend when the Rhinos pick up another win. They go away to Kyadondo Rugby Club, a place where the Heathens famously sunk the Pirate ship this season. This home advantage is important for the Heathens, who will look to start their winning streak to book a top 4 spot on the table, likely dislodging a Mongers side they have yet to play this season.

The Heathens squad is almost fully fit and available. They have struggled a bit with the front row of Santos Senteza, Jude Jjuuko and Sylvester Munguacel playing consistently together. However, the biggest threat from the Heathens shall be in their backline, which is fully stacked with players like Aaron Ofoyrwoth and Nobert Okeny ready to go as soon as they are called upon, while players like Innocent Thomas Gwokto and Matthew Musasizi are still waiting on the sidelines.

There is a glimmer of hope for the Rhinos for the rest of their season. After the Heathens game, they have the Kakira Simbas, Warriors and Hippos as their remaining opponents, all members of the bottom 4 and relegation candidates, as it stands.  

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Nile Rapids were stunned by the Panthers at Legends Rugby Grounds in the last game of Round One of the Women’s Rugby Premiership.

The Rapids had proven to be giant slayers when they took down the Thunderbirds and Black Pearls in Jinja, additionally picking up a draw against the Avengers in Entebbe, but when it came to the lower ranked Panthers at Naguru, they simply had no answer, especially in the first half.

A late surge saw the Rapids go ahead by only two points through a brilliant Justine Anguchia try and Tina Akello conversion, but the Panthers fought back with the last kick of the game, scoring a penalty through Aminah Nalujja to close out the game. This was the first loss for the Rapids, and it’s now time for payback at the Ruck Yard in Jinja on Saturday afternoon.

This is a must-win for the Rapids, who go out in search of their first premiership league title. Playing at the Ruck Yard is an added advantage for the Rapids, who have so far gone unbeaten at their home grounds, but they face off with a Panthers side that shall be looking for their second win of the season, and a first one away from home.

The Panthers are energized and won’t be shy to go for the double against the Nile Rapids.

Speaking after that historic win, Panthers’ utility player Latifah Tiko was full of optimism that her team can now challenge the Rapids. “We had our first win against the Rapids at the Ruck Yard in the Uganda Cup, so we had to bring that same shift here today,” Tiko noted.

If the Panthers bring back that same shift that Tiko is talking about, where they put in the hard tackles, patiently build up phases through their forwards, and carry that never-say-die attitude to Jinja, then they’d have the opportunity to leave Jinja with the win.

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The women’s four consecutive time defending champions, the Black Pearls, have officially pulled out of the league.

Since the turn of the decade, the Black Pearls have won the women’s league but won’t be able to carry on and defend it in 2026, citing financial constraints. The Pearls failed to honour their home fixture against the Nile Rapids at Kings Park Arena last Saturday, communicating that their title defence had come to an abrupt end.

A statement released from the Uganda Rugby Union this Monday evening acknowledges the withdrawal of the Pearls from the league, and indicates that URU is well aware of the challenges the women’s clubs go through to not only put Squads together, but also present them for game days.

In a meeting attended by URU officials and representatives from the Black Pearls held on Monday afternoon, it was clear that the Pearls would not go back on their decision to exit the league. This leaves the league with 6 women’s sides, with the Thunderbirds, Avengers and Nile Rapids as frontrunners for the now vacant title.

According to URU, the Black Pearls are welcome to rejoin the league next season, given that there won’t be a promotion or relegation this year.

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