I produced a list of my team of league in The New Vision 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. This means some sure national team starters may not make the team on account of the positions they played in the league where others surpassed.

Loose Head Prop

Ronald Adigasi (Entebbe Mongers): Adigasi rose to fame as the first shield player to earn a call up to the national team. A loose head with the mobility of a back row, impressive handling around the breakdown and fearless scrimmaging. Not as technically astute as Fred Mudoola who is awaiting the surgeon's knife but improving with every game.

Honourable mention: Odong Brian (UTL Kobs) The young former U19 international has done well against experienced Tight heads since he made his Guinness Super 8 debut. Not the finished product yet but has shown a lot of promise.

Hooker

Alexander Mubiru (MTN Heathens): With the modern game, hookers have become very mobile and thus a little smaller. Chilliboy  Ralapelle is the definition of a modern day hooker and so is Alexander Mubiru. He was never given a look in, only making the sevens team but he is arguably one of Chester Williams great finds and was a sure starter on his team. Good ball carrier, committed scrummager, useful as an extra flanker (outside the set pieces) and has run at defenses in open play with great aplomb. Throws the ball well for the national team but was suspect at throwing the ball in some key league games and also needs to check his temperament.

Honourable mention: Solomon Mawanda (G4S Pirates) has thrown the ball well but needs to improve on his work rate as he cuts the figure of an old fashioned hooker. Constantine 'Wako' Wandera (UTL Kobs) also gets honourable mention.

Tight Head Prop

Brian Makalama (G4S Pirates): The 130Kg colossus has been instrumental in Pirates scrums throughout the league. You will notice after Makalama left the Kobs v Pirates in the final league game- injured, Kobs begun to wheel all Pirates feeds at the scrum at will against heavier opponents and that was on account of Makalama's absence. Binding against Makalama is every hooker's and Loose head's nightmare. With him at the scrum, expect stability. At the lineout expect jumpers to be hoisted high. Not a very mobile player but neither was Os Du Randt.

Honourable mention: Ken Mutabaruka (UTL Kobs) one of those that got the nod from the no nonsense Chester Williams. He worked his way last season to becoming the starting Tight Head in the CAR championship winning campaign but has unfortunately been dogged by injury and played less games this season which is why he makes the bench. No doubt a fully fit Mutabaruka would fight his way back in as the starting Tight head and it showed with his stellar performance against Pirates in the last league game.

Lock

Victor Wadia (UTL Kobs): Has been rather average by his very high standards but again not many no. 4's have stood out this year. In fact I cannot think of another no.4 that stood out this season that deserves honourable mention. Gerson Onono (MTN Heathens) started the league well but run out of steam in the second half and so did the out of position Eric Butime.

Lock

Adrian Bukenya Captain (UTL Kobs): For the locks on the tight side Adrian is my pick. He returned from a nasty ankle injury to play at an uncustomary lock position (as opposed to his preferred 8th man position) and went on to top score for UTL Kobs on the try count with 10 tries. You have got to respect that. Good communicator, great technical ability, excellent game reading, quick for a lock and a leader on the pitch.

Honourable mention: Timothy Ddumba (G4S Pirates) Young man with a promising feature ahead of him. As our league is amateur and such things as line outs stats are Greek to many, I would bet in balls grabbed at the line outs he is second only to blind flanker and team mate Moses Soita. However needs to increase his work rate by getting more involved at the breakdown.

Blindside Flanker

Robert Seguya (MTN Heathens): This one was an easy call as the veteran ex-pugilist has been 'Heathens get out of jail' card with his 'never give up' attitude and is playing the best rugby of his 15 year career. It is no surprise he was voted 2007 MVP. Very astute game reader, one of the best tacklers in the country, good ball carrier, high work rate, high fitness levels, fantastic line breaker and possesses incredible strength beyond his stature. Very high try scoring back row utility player and all this was evident in the league as he virtually carried MTN Heathens on his shoulders.

Honourable mention: Moses Soita (G4S Pirates)-he is on the bench on account of his playing blindside in the league though he is a sure starter at lock for the national team. A former basket baller whose exploits at the line out confirms he is the best line out jumper in East Africa.

Openside Flanker

Mathias Ochwo (MTN Heathens): Industrious flanker with good ball carrying skills, one of the fiercest and most dangerous competitors at the breakdown. Decent jumper at the lineout, good ball carrier, good support player for the backs with his pace and uncompromising in defence. His volatile temperament has seen him pick up most yellow cards in the league and that is an area he needs to improve on. Wonder if he is inspired by Schalk Burger?!

Honourable mention: Drake Muyodi (G4S Pirates) The last time I saw this player before the start of the new season was in a local music video! He has since returned from injury in the second half of the season to wreck havoc from the Pirates back row. Heathens and Kobs highly rated back rows found him a handful as he continuously beat the gain line. On that account I previously had him pushed to 8th man but have been convinced not to judge a player on account of a mid league appearance. Finally the promise this player had shown a couple of years ago has begun to emerge into something bigger and better. We wait with batted breathe for him to explode! Youthful

Joel Anguyo (UTL Kobs) also deserves mention.

Eight Man

Roger Rukundo (UTL Kobs): I previously had him on the bench but as if to silence me, he went on to put up a man of the match performance against G4S Pirates in the penultimate game of the season. A good jumper at the line out, good ball handling and carrying skills, elusive runner despite his average pace. I think with a little more body conditioning he can turn out to be a devastating no.8. Having said that Roger did not have much competition as there have not been many outstanding 8th men in the league.

Honourable mention: Masui Fine(Nile) the feisty live wire and marauding Tongan 8th man whose bullocking direct running and big hits clearly unsettled every team (including the top three) that visited Jinja. Many accomplished internationals were heard saying 'who the f*** was that?' on return from the Nile  stadium.

Scrum Half

Faisal Gammah (MTN Heathens): This veteran scrum half and former international has rolled back the years to outshine all the other half backs in the league by far. Great vision/game reading, quick hands/thinking, great communicator (even the subtle hints to the referee),good coordinator between the backs and forwards and has improved on his one weakness-his defence. He ties with the starting national team scrum half. I expect a lot of flak on this choice!

Anthony Kinene (G4S Pirates) Top scorer in the league two seasons in a row on account of his educated boot and a very effective tackler who has also been utilized as a full back. Has a weakness of being a little slower around the base in comparison with the other top half backs, needs to work on speeding up his delivery of the recycled ball. It is on this weakness (the speed) that he ties with Faisal Gammah as it's essential for scrum halves to be rapid.

Allan Masiko (UTL Kobs): Another rapid scrum half who deserves mention.

Fly Half

Joel Kimuli (G4S Pirates): Fly half of the feature and a complete fly half in every sense of the word. Kicks off both feet accurately, good game reader and effortless creator of space. Perfect passer of the ball and is an elusive runner. He is only 19 but plays like a 28 year old and was voted 2007 U19 MVP. Needs to build more upper body strength, improve on his pace (as a 19 year old he should be quicker) and improve on his defence.

Honourable mentions:

Edmond Tumusiime (UTL Kobs) He is on the bench on account of his injury plagued season but ended the season strongly reminding everyone he is still the undisputed stand off in East Africa. I cannot begin to describe the full range of attributes he possesses but can refer you to Steve Larkham. I would like to see more of those drop kicks that are emerging and I must commend Kobs for looking into an often ignored art in the local league.

Ambrose Kamanyire (UTL Kobs) and utility player John Musoke (Cente Rhinos) also deserve honourable mention.

Left Wing

Allan Musoke (UTL Kobs): The league has seen mediocre finishing from wingers and this is a disappointment. Soki's season has been plagued by injury but even an under par Soki still picks up 8 tries to make the team albeit at left wing on account of another out scoring him at 14. What's happening to the pretenders? I really cannot mention anyone honourably here,..sorry.

Inside Centre

Tonny Luggya (UTL Kobs):The good doctor has cut some weight and become faster. Still one of the finest line breakers and biggest hitters. Good technical knowledge, powerful centre, perfect running angles and good ball handling skills.

Honourable mentions:

Brian Jjemba (G4S Pirates): A fly half who now plays inside centre. His season has also been dogged by injury but from what I have seen in his ball handling, footwork and pace to break the gain line has impressed me to name him as one of the season’s best (and a star of the future). He had some forgettable games against Rhinos home and away and needs to work on his defence.

Outside Centre

Timothy Mudoola (UTL Kobs): Beautifully balanced and graceful long striding runner. Often underrated but very core and influential member of any team he represents. Deceptively powerful and a stabilizing factor in midfield with his thundering offensive runs and watertight defence. Very efficient, tidy player who always get's the job done without any showmanship which underlies his consistency.

Honourable mentions:

Felix Lubega (G4S Pirates) 100Kgs and sprints 100 meters in 10.5 seconds. Was hailed as heir apparent to Allan Musoke but has still not yet exploded the way Allan did as a rookie. Aggressive tackler and powerful runner who has been top try scorer in the league for the second season in a row. He however needs to come alive in big games (and internationals) as he has failed to score tries against the big teams. He also needs to improve on his work rate and communication which are basics that can easily be developed. We are sure to see much more of this 20 year old in the future.

Right Wing

Dennis Etuket (G4S Pirates): Second highest top try scorer in the league with 14 tries. Again I must mention I have not seen any spectacular finishing from wingers. Has a step on him, quick darting runner and an aggressive tackler. Needs to work on his big game temperament. Again I cannot see any other winger worth an honourable mention.

Full Back

John Musoke (Cente Rhinos): Mzee John returned from an operation to haul Rhinos to a 4th place finish. An inform Rhinos means 2 cap African leopard John Musoke is firing on all cylinders be it at Fly Half, Centre, Full back or even blindside flank. Technically gifted player who is one of the best game readers and defensive players which makes up for his average pace. Very comfortable under the high ball and you kick that bomb at him at your own peril. He is also a good line kicker and for me has been my best player in the 2008 Guinness league.

Honourable mentions:

Bishop Onen (MTN Heathens) I did mention him in my New Vision piece but the editor cut it out due to word space. So I was delighted that Yayiro Kasasa vindicated me by giving him a chance to earn his first cap against Kenya in the Elgon Cup. Ever since he cut his dreadlocks the transformation has been remarkable. He has been an exciting flair player, elusive runner with quick and fancy footwork. Can also play at the wing. Not yet the finished product and tends to get carried away sometimes by playing for the crowd. Also needs to work on his defence, all of which can be developed.

Coach

Fred Mudola (UTL Kobs): This one is a no brainer. In his debut season as head coach of the UTL Kobs, Fred already has the League title bagged and his eye on the three other major trophies up for grabs. He can also boast of having guided Namilyango College to the Schools’ championship. His medal haul for this year alone is already attracting the envy of many.

Honourable mentions:

Entebbe Mongers Mongers have perhaps been the discovery of the 2008 Guinness League. Right from the start when they played hosts to the MTN Heathens, the Mongers issued a statement of intent that they did not intend to be the whipping boys of Uganda rugby. They have grown in confidence and stature and claimed the important scalps of the Hima Impis and the Cente Rhinos. Their gritty defence ensures that if any points are posted against them, they are paid for in full. Preferably in blood! The league’s elite have come to dread the graveyard that is their Entebbe stronghold. This is the team to watch for any giant killing. A major reason for their exciting debut season in the top flight is Kenyan Ham Onsando at the helm.

Peter Ofong (Click to send your comments)