Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Champions KIU Crowns Rugby football Club, cerebrate with the champions title of the URU rugby 7s promotional series
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Kampala
The growth and development of rugby in Western Uganda is slowly but steadily taking root, as demonstrated by Kampala International University (KIU) Ishaka Campus.
The Crowns, as the team is nicknamed, have made history by qualifying for the national Rugby 7s League for the first time following an impressive season of performances.
Organised on a round-robin basis, the competition features teams from different regions meeting at scheduled tournaments known as circuits. KIU emerged as one of the outstanding sides, finishing at the top of the standings.
The Basajjabalaba boys did not disappoint, as their mission to make history for both the region and themselves as players gathered momentum from the first circuit to the last.
Under the technical guidance of former player and current coach Asa Muhanguzi, the Crowns finished ahead of their eight challengers, securing 41 series points to edge rivals Hima Impis.
The Ishaka-based side began by collecting 22 points in the opening series, including a 10-7 victory over Kakira Simbas at Busukuma Gayaza Grounds. They later lost 15-5 to eventual runners-up Hima Impis, earning 19 points in the subsequent series.
Their 41 series points propelled them to the top of the standings, ahead of Hima Impis, who finished second with 39 points, earning KIU the championship title and promotion to the national league.
“We are very happy to have become the first-ever team from this region to qualify for the national level as champions. We thank everyone, including the administration and the team, for the support and unity that have brought us this far. We are inspired to continue performing well at the national level, where we have qualified to compete,” said Muhanguzi.
KIU becomes the first team from Western Uganda to earn promotion to the top tier of the Rugby 7s category since the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) introduced the competition in 2001, as part of efforts to promote the sport across the country.
“We are very happy for the team and its management for making it this far. KIU’s promotion and overall performance demonstrate that deliberate efforts to promote the sport in the region are beginning to bear fruit, and we are proud of this achievement. We trust that they will compete favourably at the national level,” said Timothy Iraka, the URU development officer for the Western Region.
KIU will be joined by Hima Impis, who finished second, in the national Rugby 7s League for the upcoming season.
