2025 Uganda Rugby Premiership Final
- Black Pirates 44-23 Jinja Hippos
Extra time proved no obstacle for the Black Pirates as they outlasted a spirited Jinja Hippos side to clinch their third Uganda Rugby Premiership title in dramatic fashion, winning 44-23 at Kings Park.
The Sea Robbers needed 30 minutes of extra time to pull clear after regulation time ended 23-23 in a nail-biting finale. The match saw Pirates’ captain Ivan Magomu miss a potentially title-winning conversion at the death, forcing the game into extra time.
Pirates started strong with Isaac Massa’s early break leading to a William Nkore penalty for a 3-0 lead. The Hippos, undeterred, camped in Pirates territory and were rewarded when skipper Tonny Kadhambi powered over for a converted try to take a 7-3 lead.
Massa again played a key role, setting up Haruna Muhammad’s try, converted by Nkore to restore the Pirates’ advantage. Nkore then added a drop goal to stretch the lead to 13-7 before Hippos’ Terry Okore responded with a converted try to put the visitors 14-13 ahead at halftime.
The second half was a seesaw affair. Conrad Wanyama’s try briefly swung momentum back to the hosts, though Nkore failed to convert. Hippos capitalized on Pirates’ errors, with flyhalf Yasin Wasswa slotting in a penalty and adding two more to give the Jinja side a 23-18 lead.
Just as the game looked lost, Magomu led a last-ditch surge, scoring a crucial try. But his missed conversion meant the game headed into extra time where Pirates would dominate.
The tide turned definitively as Pirates, showing superior fitness and tactical depth, ran in three unanswered converted tries in extra time through Timothy Kisiga, Jones Kamiza and Muhammad with Magomu making amends by converting all three.
With the 44-23 final scoreline, Black Pirates not only secured their third national title but also demonstrated championship resolve under pressure.
