The 10th anniversary edition of the Rujumba 7s concluded in magnificent fashion at the Kings Park Arena in Bweyogerere, Kampala, as host club Stanbic Black Pirates edged out fiercely-contested rivals Platinum Credit Heathens 26–24 in an unforgettable Men's Main Cup final.
The thrilling victory gave the Black Pirates their first leg title of the 2026 Nile Special National Rugby 7s Series, igniting euphoric celebrations among thousands of passionate Ugandan rugby fans who packed the grandstands at Kings Park Arena under the banner theme "Tukikube. Every Stop."
Epic Final Breakdown: Black Pirates 26 – 24 Heathens
The Men's Main Cup final delivered non-stop drama from the opening whistle. Heathens took an early lead following a swift backline combination, but Black Pirates responded with power running through star playmaker Conrad Wanyama, who touched down under the posts to level the score.
In a tense, physical second half, the leads traded hands three times. With less than two minutes remaining and Heathens leading 24–21, Black Pirates executed a brilliant 80-meter counter-attack from deep inside their own 22-meter territory. Dynamic winger Timothy Kisiga broke two arm tackles before offloading to Alex Aturinda, who crashed over in the corner to seal a heart-stopping 26–24 victory.
Nile Rapids Retain Women's Title & Disciplinary Updates
In the Women's division, the formidable Nile Rapids continued their supreme dominance of the national circuit by defeating the Thunderbirds 15–10 in a grueling final, securing back-to-back circuit titles following their opening victory at Stone City 7s.
The tournament was not without controversy. During Saturday's pool matches, Heathens star playmaker Aaron Ofoyrwoth was handed a strict 10-match suspension by the Uganda Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee following a dangerous high tackle on Black Pirates' Conrad Wanyama. The ruling sent shockwaves through the national rugby community, emphasizing URU's zero-tolerance policy on dangerous tackles.
"Winning the Rujumba 7s on our home ground at Kings Park Arena in front of our incredible supporters is an overwhelming feeling," stated Black Pirates captain Marvin Odongo during post-match trophy celebrations. "The competition across the Nile Special 7s series has risen to unbelievable levels, but our boys showed immense resilience to come back and win."
Tournament Summary Statistics: Rujumba 7s 2026
Key statistics from the historic 10th anniversary edition in Bweyogerere:
- Men's Cup Final: Stanbic Black Pirates 26 – 24 Platinum Credit Heathens.
- Women's Cup Final: Nile Rapids 15 – 10 Thunderbirds.
- Top Try Scorer: Timothy Kisiga (Black Pirates) – 8 tries across the weekend.
- Next Series Stop: Kyadondo 7s (Circuit 3), followed by Gulu (Lawirwodi 7s) and Bugembe 7s, concluding with the Kabaka Coronation 7s at Wankulukuku.
Grassroots Development and Rugby Cranes 7s Selection
The Nile Special National 7s Series serves as the primary talent pathway for the Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s national team ahead of upcoming HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series qualifiers and international invitationals. Head coach Tolbert Onyango and national selectors were present throughout the two-day tournament at Kings Park Arena, closely monitoring young breakout talents who delivered impressive performances against seasoned veterans.
The growth of grassroots rugby academies across Uganda has elevated the technical standards of the domestic circuit, with teams demonstrating improved breakdown control, defensive line speed, and tactical kicking execution.
Impact on the 2026 Nile Special National 7s Series
With Black Pirates claiming victory at Rujumba 7s and Heathens taking runner-up points, the race for the overall 2026 Nile Special National Rugby 7s championship title is blown wide open. As the circuit moves to Kyadondo for Leg 3, fans across Uganda are set for a thrilling season of high-intensity rugby sevens action. The overwhelming turnout at Kings Park Arena highlights the growing popularity and commercial sponsorship backing for domestic rugby sevens in East Africa.
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