Heathens’ long hold on the Rugby Uganda Cup finally slipped on Saturday evening, as Black Pirates dethroned the defending champions with a confident 19–8 win at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
After ruling the competition since 2020, Heathens’ streak had begun to feel routine. But Pirates tore up the script, lifting the men’s title and completing a remarkable double after also winning the Premiership earlier this year.
The final opened as a tactical chess match. Heathens used aerial pressure while Pirates leaned on their dominant scrum.
Heathens struck first through Norbert Okeny after five minutes, but Pirates settled through William Nkore’s boot, and captain Isaac Massanganzira powered over to give the “Sea Robbers” a 10–5 halftime lead.
The second half turned into a physical grind. Pirates’ organisation and conditioning told the difference, repelling repeated attacks.
With no tries after the break, the contest became a kicking duel, Marvin Asaba trimmed the gap, but Nkore’s three penalties put the game out of reach.
When the clock ran down, so did Heathens’ grip on a title many thought was already theirs.
It ended a rough season for the green and gold, who lost all three major titles.
In the women’s final, Nile Rapids made history by defending the Uganda Cup after edging She Wolves 22–20 in a tense all-Eastern showdown.
Rapids led throughout with tries from Claire Mutesi, Rose Nakirya and Shaine Babirye, plus two conversions and a penalty from Tina Akello.
She Wolves stayed in touch through tries from Shamula Kagoya and Habiba Namalembe, a Mariam Gamisha penalty and a penalty try.
A late surge forced Rapids into four yellow cards, three in the dying minutes, but the comeback fell just short.
As the whistle blew, Nile Rapids celebrated another milestone, cementing themselves as the most successful women’s XVs side in Uganda Cup history.
