The 2025 Uganda Rugby Championship kicked off with intense action, but it was Timothy Mudoola’s post-match reflections that stole the spotlight on Saturday evening.
The newly appointed KOBs head coach had high hopes for his team’s season opener against Rhinos at Legends grounds in Naguru.
Despite both teams coming out with the same sponsor on their kits, the tightly contested game ended in an unexpected 11–13 loss, raising early concerns for the fan-favorite side.
Mudoola, a seasoned figure at KOBs, had been widely tipped to lead the team to a promising start.
Doing exactly that for much of the game, it seemed within reach and by halftime, the KOBs held a slim 5–3 lead, buoyed by solid early play.
But the second half told a different story, as the Rhinos mounted a comeback that left the home crowd stunned.
What Mudoola said
Speaking after the game, Mudoola admitted his side faltered in key moments;
“A tough start, not a way one would like to,” he began.
“We made a few mistakes, especially after our breakdowns. That’s one of the areas I need to work on as we prepare for our second game.”
Despite holding the lead early, KOBs squandered several opportunities to secure the win.
“We squandered a couple of chances, kicks, including one that could have won us the game,” Mudoola noted.
“Decision-making also let us down, but those are things that just need conversations. You can’t train that; it’s about getting into the players’ mindset.”
The loss was a tough pill to swallow for KOBs fans, who had hoped Mudoola’s deep knowledge of the club would translate into instant results.
While the defeat dampens spirits, Mudoola urged his team to take heart. He pointed to last season as a reminder that early setbacks don’t define a campaign.
“This also happened last season when we lost the first two games. We narrowly missed the title after losing in the semifinals, but we came close. We’ve been here before, and I believe we can still achieve our goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, KOBs’ loss stood out as a reminder of how unpredictable the league can be. Many had pegged the team as early favorites, especially with a high-profile coaching change.
But Mudoola remains undeterred, emphasizing that his targets remain unchanged;
“Our aim is to make the final. It’s not over—we’re not out,” he said. “There’s still a lot of rugby to play, and I’m confident we can turn this around.”
As the KOBs prepare for their next game, the focus will be on cleaning up mistakes and building confidence.
Mudoola’s leadership will be backed to rally his players and ensuring this season doesn’t follow last year’s trajectory.
With Mudoola at the helm, KOBs have every chance to rewrite their narrative.
Other match week 1 results
Elsewhere in the championship, defending champions Heathens flexed their muscles with a commanding 45–12 victory over the Warriors at Kyadondo.
At Kings Park, the Black Pirates picked up where they left off last season, defeating Walukuba 38–10.
Hippos Rugby edged Toyota Buffaloes Rugby Football Cub 30-24 in the Robert Seguya mini derby played out in Jinja.
But Eagles were beaten by the experienced debutants Victoria Sharks 16-22 while Mbale’s Elgon Wolves Rugby Football Club lost to visitors Mongers Rugby 8-19.
The Uganda Rugby Championship is shaping up to be as thrilling and unpredictable as ever.
