The 2025 Uganda Rugby Premiership regular season came to a close on Saturday, marking the end of a challenging journey for some teams while setting the stage for intense playoff battles.
While the top eight teams secured their spots in the championship playoffs, four teams, Warriors, Plascon Mongers, Eagles, and Elgon Wolves, find themselves in the relegation fight.
For Eagles Rugby Club, the road has been rough. With only one win and ten losses, they sit 11th on the log with 8 points, tied with one of the other relegation-threatened teams.
Their latest fixture against powerhouse and defending champion Heathens at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds ended in a 57-09 defeat, adding to their struggles in their debut Premiership season.
Despite the setbacks, Eagles captain Liam Ssewanyana remains defiant and hopeful.
Speaking after their loss to Heathens, he reflected on the game and the team’s experience so far;
“The game was tough in the first half, but in the second half, our guys showed character and played well. We’re new in the Premiership, and it’s been a learning experience.”
He acknowledged that the team lost several key players after earning promotion, a factor that significantly impacted their performance.
“We lost many players who would have helped us compete better, maybe even win this championship. But the ones who stayed, we kept fighting and we will continue to fight.”
As they prepare for the relegation playoffs, Kinya is determined to keep the Eagles in the top tier.
“We go by the saying, ‘The bigger they come, the harder they fall.’ We know the challenge ahead, but we are not backing down. Just as our opponents are preparing, so are we. When we played Heathens, people expected the worst, but we showed fight, especially in the second half.”
Confident in their survival chances, Ssewanyana issued a rallying call:
“Towards the relegation playoffs, we are going to survive. No matter who we face, Mongers or anyone else, we will give everything to stay in this league.”
While the Eagles fight for survival, the top eight teams, Black Pirates, KOBs, Jinja Hippos, Heathens, Victoria Sharks, Rhinos, Buffaloes, and Walukuba Barbarians will turn their focus to the playoff battles that will determine this season’s champion.
