A tribute to Impis

Interview with Dr. Samuel Guma former IMPIS Chairman and Legend.

Qn. Sam, tell us about how you joined the Impis.
Answer: I joined the University in October 1994 and was residing in Nkrumah hall. It was during my first week as a fresher when I saw a poster in the medical school student’s canteen calling for a meeting for all rugby players at the guild canteen. That was the beginning of what turned out to be an exciting five years of university rugby.

Qn. Impis was the best team in the late 1990’s, how did you achieve this?
Answer: It took us a few years to develop a winning culture in Impis. This was possible due to the governance systems put in place especially the hall representatives who were tasked with identifying and recruiting players. With time we built a strong team, with a great spirit that went on to win the 1996 bell league trophy and sent shock waves through the entire rugby fraternity in the late 90’s. The other major achievements included winning the Makerere 10’s a four years in a row, league runners up 97...[+]

An Irishman's memories of rugby in Uganda

We stood linked arm in arm on the lush green pitch at Lugogo, singing along to the taped recording of 'Ireland's Call'. Ahead of us was a game against, essentially, the Uganda national side and my emotions were mixed.

Naturally, I would give my all for my team, London Irish A2's, but I also felt my heart being pulled towards the Ugandan side watching us sing, many of whom I had played with, coached and even drank a few bottles of Bell's with.

The match was hard. We were an experienced side, made up mainly of guys who had played a lot of rugby, often at a high level; captains of Irish and English clubs, ex-Irish schoolboys and the like. Most of us now in our thirties and with families, unable to give the .....[+]

Best XV of the 2008 Guinness League

I produced a list of my team of league in The New Vision (10th May 2008) on the final day of the league and as expected it generated a lot of debate.
Actually since the final game I have only been convinced to change two positions. The purpose of this article though is to explain my reasons as I am limited by word space in The New Vision and to allow the readers challenge the line up and come up with their own preferences and why they think they deserve mention. Also note I am making my choices according to positions; individual players played in the league many not in positions they take on in the national team.....[+]

Lady Cranes prep for Elgon Cup

The Lady Cranes have commenced 15 aside training under Sam Ahamya (head coach) and Ramsey Olinga (assistant coach) in preparation for the Elgon Cup on May 24th.  The Ugandans will be taking on their Kenyan counterparts in what will be their first 15 aside clash since 2006.  The first time the two sides met was in 2005 in Kampala and the Ugandans gave the Kenyans a 58 – 00 drubbing.  The following year, Lady Cranes escaped with a narrow 03-00 win in Nairobi and followed it up with a scrappy 24-00 win in Kampala.  There were no 15 aside fixtures in 2007 as KRFU were unable to send a women’s team to Uganda or host the Ugandan women.  In what promises to be a thrilling encounter, the Lady Cranes will pull out all the stops in order to maintain their unbeaten record against Kenya.  On the other hand, KRFU seems to be taking women’s rugby seriously this year and have enlisted the services of Benjamin Ayimba (former Kenya international and current Kenya’s 7’s coach) to assist head coach Sammy Kemmey.

Lady Cranes’ training squad:

Stella Abeja, Sauda Adiru, Mariam Akello, Winnie Atiang, Evelyn Aweku, Stella Bakole, Rachel Kakaire, Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi, Harriet Kayonjo, Christine Kizito, Stella Kyalikunda, Mary Nakanyike, Alice Nakyonyi, Josephine Namayega, Joan Namuyomba, Dorothy Nekesa, Asha Sonko, Ann Tumwine (Thunderbirds), Aalia Adania, Joan Andika, Mary Kyoita, Charlotte Mudoola, Warry Nambirige, Hadijah Namuyanja, Hamida Nankabirwa (Rangers), Claire Anena, Beatrice Atim, Helen Buteme, Hellen Gizamba, Fortunate Irankunda, Brenda Kayiyi, Brenda Kemigisha and Prossy Nakakande (Black Panthers).

Team Manager:  Pamela Abeja
Team doctor:  Ambrose Ejalu

Lady Cranes miss out on Tunis

David Mutaka’s Lady Cranes’ preparations for the African women’s IRB 7’s world cup qualifiers suffered a slight set back when the team was forced to pull out of the Northern African CAR 7’s to be held in Tunisia over the Easter weekend due to lack of funds.  Mutaka had hoped to use the tournament as a build up for the qualifiers.  However, the Lady Cranes’ technical team revealed that the women will continue with their training schedule and may seek friendlies with neighbouring Kenya to boost their preps. 

UWRA chairperson, Irene Namapii, disclosed that CAR had requested Uganda to host the women’s qualifiers and the tourney will be held between July and September.  The dates are yet to be confirmed.  The countries expected to participate are South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Botswana, and Nigeria.  The top two teams from this tournament will qualify for the inaugural women’s 7’s world cup that will be held in Dubai next year. 

In a related development, SARU has invited Uganda to South Africa in August to participate in a tournament that will involve 7 other African teams as well as elite teams from around the world namely New Zealand, Samoa, Australia, England, Wales, France, Canada and USA.  It will be the first time for the Lady Cranes to compete at this level and will be an opportunity for Mutaka to gauge the team and see how much work there remains to be done.