Uganda Central Region Rugby Final
- U-20: Kings College Budo 29-17 Namilyango
- U-15: Namilyango 15-11 SMACK
- U-17: Namilyango 26-07 SMACK
Division Two
- Girls: Airforce Army SS 22-00 Mpungwe SS
For fifteen long years, Kings College Budo’s storied rugby tradition carried the weight of history and a growing itch for redemption.
Their last taste of Under-20 Central Region Schools League glory came in 2010, a time so distant that the current crop of players were not even in primary school.
But on Sunday, April 6, 2025, under grey skies at Makerere University’s famed ‘The Graveyard’ Rugby Grounds, Budo finally broke the jinx, reclaiming the title with a commanding 29-17 victory over their greatest rivals Namilyango College.
It was a fitting final. The Red Lions of Budo squaring off against the Anchors of Namilyango, two institutions whose rugby legacies stretch deep into Uganda’s school sports history.
Namilyango entered the game as defending champions, having won back-to-back titles in recent seasons. Their recent dominance was unquestioned. They had ruled the Central Region and were gunning for a third straight crown, something few schools have achieved.
They even began the game like champions. In the 13th minute, scrumhalf Arthur Kato Dhamutudha wriggled through Budo’s defense to score the opening try, setting the tone and energizing the blue-and-white faithful.
But Budo didn’t crumble. They held firm, organized themselves, and began chipping away at the momentum Namilyango had built.
With just five minutes left in the first half, Budo’s flyhalf Arthur Lukoda stepped up. A darting run through the defense brought the Red Lions their first points and his conversion gave Budo a narrow 7-5 lead at halftime, a small margin but a crucial psychological swing.
What followed was nothing short of a Red Lion rampage. Within ten minutes of the restart, Budo tore through Namilyango’s defense like a team possessed. Caleb Nimaro and Calvin Mubiru (with two tries) stretched the scoreline to 26-5, with Lukoda’s trusty boot converting twice more.
Namilyango’s response was spirited but came too late. Joshua Wakooli touched down and Deogratious Mawa Andruale added the extras to close the gap to 26-12.
Lukoda, showing maturity beyond his years, responded with a steady penalty to nudge the score to 29-12 and put the game out of reach.
Wakooli added a final consolation try in the dying moments but the trophy was already slipping from Namilyango’s grasp.
For Budo, this wasn’t just a rugby match. It was a reclamation of identity, a revival of pride, and a statement to Uganda’s rugby community: the Red Lions are back.
And what a stage it was, a final filled with passion, grit and raw emotion. The stands were packed with students, alumni, teachers and proud parents, many of whom braved an early morning downpour to support their teams.
The air crackled with chants, drums and school anthems, a vivid reminder of how central rugby has become to Uganda’s school culture.
Despite the loss, Namilyango still had reason to celebrate. They swept the junior categories, defeating St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) in both the Under-15 and Under-17 finals.
The Anchors edged SMACK 15-11 in a tight U-15 game and dominated the U-17 final with a 26-7 win, showcasing their depth and the promise of future champions.
Meanwhile, in a historic moment for Ugandan school rugby, the first-ever girls’ title was contested and won.
Airforce Army SS, who had earlier bagged the boys’ second division trophy made it a double celebration by beating Mpungwe SS 22-0 in the inaugural girls’ final, a huge step forward for inclusivity in school sports.
But the spotlight firmly belonged to Kings College Budo. After 15 years in the wilderness, they stood tall once again, not just as champions, but as a symbol of perseverance, growth and the enduring power of school pride.
