Kampala club runs into trouble with Rugby Union

By Douglas Mazune and Johnson Were

Kampala Rugby Club’s ambiance has improved tremendously since it was renamed Legends Club but there is more to it than meets the eye.

While revellers enjoy a better night life, the rugby fraternity has been grumbling. It came as no surprise when Uganda Rugby Union (URU) drew the dagger over the weekend.

Kampala Rugby Club was suspended for ‘not exercising transparency’ in the sale of the facility without approval of affiliated clubs - Pirates, Kobs and Rhinos.

According to URU secretary Alex Kalimugogo, KRUFC executive argued that the teams were no longer members of Kampala Club.

“We want them to answer some questions in the next three weeks. Who are their members at KRUFC? And also explain why they own these clubs and claim that clubs are not members in,” Kalimugogo stated.

“Kobs, Pirates, Rhinos are traditional owners of KRUFC. The club was formed in 1963. In the early 1990s it was owned by Kobs and Heathens. Then later Rhinos and Pirates joined after Heathens moved to Kyadondo,” Kalimugogo explained.

The motion to suspend KRUFC was moved by Andrew Owor and seconded by Oscar Olaro of Entebbe Mongers.

Kalimugogo further explained that the matter came to the AGM after KRUFC failed to comply with both the members and URU executive’s requests. “We met them (KRUFC) but they refused to explain to us so we had no option but bring the matter in the AGM,” Kalimugogo stressed. The matter will be concluded in a Special Extra Ordinary Assembly that will be convened in three weeks.

He added that there was poor governance at Kampala rugby club and the union had proposed an independent body to investigate the matter.