Uganda Rugby Supporters Club

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What's in a name?

A few years ago I was rather disappointed to read in the newspapers the Uganda National Rugby Team referred to as the Rugby Cranes. I think that was when we started participating in the CAR tournament and getting some good results. Rugby Cranes? Why Rugby Cranes, I asked myself. It simply does not fit for a rugby team of a national status. Think of a typical newspaper headline like the 'Rugby Cranes maul..' or overrun or whatever the Tanzanian Lions (for arguments sake). It is simply not appealing? May be the Lions can overrun the Cranes, but not the other way round.

My assumption is that the decision to call our National Rugby team was lazily and hastily taken. I guess there was not much thought given to it. It must have been as simple as National Rugby team? It must be the Rugby Cranes.

I don?t have to mention names of other national rugby teams. You just have to mention the name, and the message to your opponents will be loud and clear.

It is time we forged our own name. It could be from one of our elegant animals like the Lions, Buffaloes, Elephants, crocodiles, hippos or some other name fitting of a rugby team, not our lovely and gentle crane. It can not rack, maul or tackle. We need a name that will exclusively be associated with the ruggers, like the national boxers? You read
Bombers in the papers and you know straight away it is about boxing. For Cranes you need to go further to see if it is football or rugby.

Everyone knows the Cranes are the National football team and rightly so as they have the lions share of fans for any sport in Uganda.

We should also not forget that there is a lot of fatigue from fans associated with the Cranes (Football team) lack of success in recent years. This fatigue will engulf us, perhaps by pretence if we continue calling ourselves Cranes.

Let's start the search for a new name and re-brand our game. I am sure more fans will come aboard.

This is just food for thought. Your opinions and comments are welcome.

Thadeus Ssozi,

Vienna, Austria

UTL Kobs destroy G4S Pirates

Lawrence of Uganda

After the Test in Kampala between Uganda and Namibia, an Africa Cup match, Mark Lawrence was introduced as Africa's blue-eyed boy by the President of the Ugandan rugby union at the after match function. His dramatic collision with Namibian prop, Marius Visser, the head clash leaving him with a gash requiring 6 stitches and a blue eye for his efforts! (Ed. The following is Referee Mark Lawrence's account of his experience in Uganda)

After the Test in Kampala between Uganda and Namibia, an Africa Cup match, Mark Lawrence was introduced as Africa's blue-eyed boy by the President of the Uganda rugby union at the after match function. Following his dramatic collision with Namibian prop, Marius Visser, the head clash leaving him with a gash requiring 6 stitches and a blue eye for his efforts! (See the picture for proof!) ....[+]

Where's the loot?

Once again Pirates proved to be perennial chokers capitulating at crunch time.
Before you cut my head off let’s take a look at Pirates over the last 3 years which is the time that the Pirates can be considered among Rugby’s big boys. 2006 Uganda Cup semifinal against the Heathens, with the Pirates having 2 lions’ shares of possession and territory they could not manage to put away the tiring Heathens. Only a slip in the last minute gifted the Pirates a one point win in a game in which they should have totally decimated their opponent.

Fast forward to the Uganda Cup final and with their fans believing that surely they had not come that far to be disappointed; boasting a host of national team stars, the most dominant pack and altogether the most physical side. The Pirates loss left even a bitter taste in the mouths of their opponents that day, the Kobs. The disgust on the face of their biggest supporter was evident. Not only did they not lose but they did not put up any contest that came close to a contention of a final, conceding a number of tries with none in response. And just in case you think am biased and maybe it is a case of Kobs being their tormentors, in the same season in a less pressure inspiring league game the Pirates totally crushed the Kobs in what was close to the Kobs biggest loss in recent times 27-5. The Pirates have been in 3 finals striking out on all 3 occasions..[+]

Who will claim the mountain?

The first leg of the 2007 Elgon Cup will take place at Kyadondo RFC grounds on 26th May 2007 where Uganda will host Kenya; the second leg will take place in Nairobi, Kenya at a yet to be confirmed date. Uganda are the current holders of the cup after defeating Kenya by an aggregate score of 29-27 over two legs. This fiercely contested tournament is East Africa's version of the Bledisloe cup and is fully sponsored by East African Breweries under the flagship brands of Guinness in Uganda and Tusker in Kenya. The tournament is aptly named the Elgon Cup after Mountain Elgon shared by both countries and bears the befitting slogan ''Who will claim the mountain?''[+]

One Small Voice

Almost every sporting life consists of a series of experiences, good and bad, many unremarkable, a few unforgettable. This past week has fallen into the latter category.
Twenty-two men gathered in London last Monday to form the ABSA African Leopards team to play the British Army. Funded by a visionary sponsor, organised by the Confederation of African Rugby, they gathered to prove that, contrary to a nodding consensus inside the haughty, insular club of international rugby, there are many fine rugby players north of Limpopo, and beyond.
“An African rugby team?” the official mused. “A nice idea but they don’t have the discipline or courage or organisation to be a factor. They’ll get hammered by the Army, because they are physically tough, well drilled and ruthless.”
So the Leopards arrived..[+]

Charlotte Mudoola - Uganda's Leading female touch judge

26th May was a historic day in Ugandan rugby for 2 main reasons: It was the first time Uganda had beaten Kenya at home and by such a huge margin. The Rugby Cranes led by Adrian Bukenya and deputized by Timothy Mudoola whipped their Kenyan archrivals 29 – 10. Another Mudoola (Fredrick) was also on the pitch wreaking havoc on the hapless Kenyans. The second reason was that one of the officials was a woman - none other than Charlotte Mudoola - little sister to Fred and Tim. Charlotte Mudoola becomes the second Ugandan woman to officiate at international level but the first to officiate a men’s senior test match. .[+]

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