The Uganda Cup has reached its defining stage, and after a dramatic Friday of two quarterfinals, with both Pirates and KOBs bagging wins to advance.
At King’s Park, the Black Pirates made the loudest noise of the tournament, dismantling Impis with a ruthless 68 point performance that left no doubt about their intentions.
Impis had shown heart in the group stages, standing up to Heathens and outclassing Victoria Sharks, but they had no answer for the Pirates’ power or pace. Once Pirates hit 20 points, the contest was effectively over.
Darren Aine’s penalties and a late Pius Mpoza try offered brief relief, but Pirates were relentless.
Their scrum, driven by Nathan Bwambale, Ivan Kabagambe, and locks Frank Kidega and Eliphaz Emong, overwhelmed the young university pack.
Bwambale’s maul try and Isaac Massangazira’s assured kicking wrapped up a one sided affair and secured Pirates home advantage in the semifinals.
On the other side, KOBs hunted down Rhinos Rugby Club with a dorminant 36-17 result.
Those wins set up a blockbuster, Pirates vs KOBs, a classic rivalry with a Uganda Cup final slot on the line.
On the other side of the draw, quaterfinal draw, The Rams await surprise quarterfinal final, a repeat of 2024 final as they once more punch above their weight.
After a respectable fight against Pirates and a strong win over Plascon Mongers, they earned a quarterfinal visit to Kyadondo for a 2024 Uganda Cup final – rematch with the Heathens.
For Heathens, despite an inconsistent league season and a quiet National 7s run, look reborn in the Cup.
They swept aside Impis and reminded Victoria Sharks that Kyadondo is unforgiving. But the Rams arrive with belief.
The winner of that duel will meet Hippos or another Kyadondo side in Buffaloes, who square off in a bruising Jinja showdown on Sunday, another semifinal that promises fire.
