Uganda: Disgraceful Rugby in Uganda
By George Katongole – The annual Makerere 10’s rugby tournament that returned to the university soils after a five year absence was not short of drama as the hosts, Impis RFC blatantly manipulated the rules by seeding themselves in a weak group that consisted Mbale Elephants, Athi River and fellow students MUBS. The tournament had found a new home at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds – which were bombed on 11 July 2010 since 2005 to allow construction of a new stadium at the university.
The university team further disgraced themselves by pooling local giants G4S Pirates, eventual finalists Kobs, and surprise giant killers Buffaloes in the same pool.
Impis-who were knocked out of the plate semi-finals in the previous tournament by Kenya’s Strathmore- wanted to avoid a repeat of such events when they named themselves top seeds of the tournament to avoid meeting pre-tournament favourites Heathens and eventual winners, Mwamba.
Dan Obote, the chairman of the organizing committee defended the decision saying the ten-aside tournament has no specific formula. “We reserve the right to change the tournament rules as we deem fit since 10 aside rugby is not recognised by the International Rugby Board. We can only borrow the 7-aside variations but we have the right to change the tourney format”.
Kenyan side Mwamba RFC, outwitted Kobs to lift their second Makerere tens’ honours beating Kobs 38-7.
