Busoga Kingdom and Walukuba Rugby Club have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise their long-standing partnership and use rugby as a tool for youth empowerment, community development, and the growth of the game across the Busoga sub-region.
The MoU was signed by Noor Osman, Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, and Simon Peter Waiswa, Chairman of Walukuba Rugby Club, on behalf of the Kingdom and the club, respectively.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prince Daniel Kitimbo and Owek. Alex Luganda, the Busoga Kingdom Attorney General, alongside Allan James Mwigo, Walukuba Rugby Club’s legal counsel, and Monica Baliawo, the club’s treasurer.
Under the agreement, Walukuba Rugby Club will spearhead rugby development across Busoga’s 14 counties. The club will introduce rugby to schools and communities, establish the Kyabazinga Schools 7s, and collaborate with the Uganda Rugby Union to launch the Busoga Masaza 7s and a Masaza league.
“I am very happy that this MoU has been signed between Walukuba Rugby and Busoga Kingdom,” said Waiswa. “This MoU will further the existing relationship between the two parties and will help develop rugby in the Busoga sub-region.
“We thank the Kyabazinga, the Prime Ministers of Busoga Kingdom, and Prince Daniel Kitimbo for allowing us to work with them to push rugby to all parts of the Busoga region.”
The partnership is also designed to empower young people through rugby, promote school retention, and create clear pathways for youth to participate and progress in sport.
Furthermore, it aligns with this year’s Busoga Kingdom theme, “Abasadha ni empango”, translated as ‘Men are the strong pillars in the fight against child abuse, teenage pregnancies, and early marriage in Busoga.’
The partners believe sport, particularly when introduced through schools, can serve as an effective platform for promoting positive behaviour and social change.
“We believe that if we start with schools and use sports to champion behavioural change, it will help create a better generation,” the club stated.
The first major activity under the MoU will be the Kyabazinga 7s, scheduled for 12–13 September in Bugembe. The Kyabazinga 7s legacy programme will subsequently launch in Kamuli before rolling out to Buyende and Kaliro, with the wider initiative expected to reach communities across the entire Busoga sub-region.
This partnership marks a significant step toward using rugby not only to grow the sport in Busoga, but also to provide young people with vital opportunities for personal development, education, leadership, and community engagement.
