Under the golden April skies at Kings Park Arena, the spirit of rugby thrived not just in competition but in community, culture and ambition.
It was the Good Friday Touch Rugby Tournament, a spirited event that combined sport with celebration, Family, children’s laughter with competitive grit and most importantly, dreams with determination.
The day belonged to many of the tireless organisers of Rugby Chill led by Nathaniel Bwambale and Isaac Massa, to the co-sponsors at Nnalubaale Sports and to the players and fans who turned up in numbers to witness the magic of tag and touch rugby.
Among the stars of the day were the young warriors of Kyadondo Rugby Academy, whose Totos team, under the skilled coaching of Sky Peter Ochol and Kanyanya Matts, clinched the coveted Good Friday Touch Rugby Trophy.
The festival atmosphere extended beyond the try lines, with mouth-watering meals, sack races, tug-of-war, and endless cheering. But at the heart of it all, the touch rugby matches stole the show, with sides like Acholi Quarters Rugby Academy (the runners-up), Team Fukho, Fat Cats Podcast, Swans Sports Club, Team BugyPR, Naguru Homeboys, and Team All Stars lighting up the field with flair, fun, and finesse.
Yet amidst the joy and playful competition, a deeper vision was quietly taking root. Emmanuel Sama, General Secretary of the Uganda National Touch Association, shared it with a reflective smile and a hopeful tone.
For him, this was more than a tournament, it was a stepping stone towards a bigger dream which is Uganda’s first appearance at the Touch Rugby World Cup.
“This tournament, the Good Friday Touch, has been running since 2017,” Sama began.
“It’s about building capacity, involving the fans and growing love for the sport. Not everyone is into contact rugby. Some fans are scared of it. So we bring them a lighter version, Touch Rugby where even ladies and gentlemen play together.”
It’s this inclusive approach, Sama believes, that will create a stronger base for the sport in Uganda. The goal is clear: to transform community engagement into national excellence. And the dream? Nothing short of global glory.
“We are preparing for the Touch Rugby World Cup. It’s coming up next year,” Sama confirmed.
“We’ve been organizing tournaments, even beach rugby, building capacity and within no time, Uganda will bring home its first World Cup.”
But getting there isn’t easy. Funding remains a thorn in the side of progress, with many of the efforts being self-sponsored. Still, Sama’s resolve remains firm.
“We’re working on getting the Uganda National Touch Association certified by the National Council. Baby steps,” he said.
“Once we’re legalized, we can pursue more sponsors and officially go through the qualification pathway.”
Sama’s vision isn’t just about participation; it’s about winning. “When the team gets to the World Cup, it’s being champions of the world. This isn’t like Americans winning the Super Bowl and calling themselves world champions, this is the real thing. All the countries are involved, it’s prestige. For Uganda. For rugby.”
His words hung in the Kyadondo air like a promise, one born from grassroots joy, community passion and a clear-eyed vision for greatness.
From the cheerful games of tag rugby tots to the roaring energy of elite teams, the Good Friday Touch wasn’t just a tournament. It was a declaration.
