Two days after KOBs and Black Pirates qualifying for 2025 Rugby Uganda Cup semifinals, Heathens too marched through the quarterfinals with the calm confidence of a team determined to keep their crown.
From day one, their title defence never looked shaky. On Sunday at Kyadondo, they sealed their semifinal place with another composed, dominant display.
They had already swept through the group stage, beating Impis 29–06, Kitgum Lions 57–06, and Victoria Sharks 35–17, and carried that momentum into the knockouts.
Their quarterfinal against Rams, a rematch of the 2023 final, promised resistance but the champions still controlled the contest, winning 44–29 in the Kyadondo heat.
Joseph Oyet’s two early tries set the tone, joined by scores from Joseph Odongo and Nicholas Kato, with Julius Oyuk adding conversions.
Rams fought back through Bakali Muhoozi and Hossana Opileni, both converted, to stay within reach at 22–14 at halftime.
The second half became a bruising, close-quarters battle. Heathens kept punching, tries from Oyuk, Trevor Ochan, Michael Amollo (converted by Marvin Asaba), and Sulaiman Ngobi stretched their lead.
Rams’ standout Hossana Opileni refused to fade. He added two more tries, a conversion, and a penalty in a performance worthy of Man of the Match even in defeat.
Meanwhile, at the newly refurbished Damwaters Rugby Club, Buffaloes quietly sealed the final semifinal spot.
They shut out Hippos 8–0 in the first half and finished the job 20–11 with disciplined, structured rugby.
And with that, the matchup everyone expected is here, the Kyadondo derby. Heathens Vs Buffaloes, once a brotherhood, now one of the fiercest rivalries in Ugandan rugby.
Semifinals are set for Saturday, November 29. URU is yet to confirm venues, though Kyadondo is the natural home for the derby.
In the other clash, Black Pirates renew their long running rivalry with KOBs in another heavyweight showdown.
Uganda Cup 2025 – Semifinal Fixtures
Saturday, November 29, 2025
- Black Pirates vs KOBs
- Heathens vs Buffaloes
