Referees cautioned on safety in schools rugby games

Feb 20, 2014

Referees officiating the schools rugby league have been cautioned against compromising the safety standards of players before and during any game, effective this weekend on Sunday.

By Johnson Were

Sunday fixtures

Budo v SMACK (at Budo)

MACOS v Namilyango (at Makerere)

London v Kyambogo (in Maya)

Kololo v Hana (at Kyadondo)

Referees officiating the schools rugby league have been cautioned against compromising the safety standards of players before and during any game, effective this weekend on Sunday.


Uganda Rugby Union (URU) secretary Michael Wandera and referee coach Jacko Chagga issued the directive to referees after watching last weekend’s encounter between Namilyango and King’s College Budo at Namilyango where some safety issues were ignored.

During the game, the marking of the field was extended to the road side where there were pebbles, posing a threat to players’ safety. Then, the goal posts lacked the mandatory post pads.

Wandera directed that no games should be started if safety is compromised. He said schools without goalpost pads should improvise by, for instance, using mattresses to serve the purpose.


URU Secretary Michael Wandera speaks during a press conference. PHOTO/JohnSON Were

An ambulance or dispatch van must be at the game venue for any emergencies, he said, warning that any referee who defies these directives will be punished.

On his part, Jacko Chagga told the referees that ignoring standards while executing their duties will affect their promotions.

“You may compromise standards but such will lead to your failure when evaluating for promotions. So it is your choice to decide your fate,” he said.

In this weekend’s fixtures, Makerere College host Namilyango at the graveyard ground Makerere, London College host Kyambogo in Maya while Kololo secondary is set to host Hana at Kyambogo Rugby ground.

St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) take a trip to Kings College Budo, with their games teacher Ronald Mutebi cautioning his boys against complacency.

Mutebi told the Kisubi side that a 38-3 win over Makerere College last weekend should not excite them because they are playing a more solid opponent that has an experienced tactician.

Budo is coached by Rugby Cranes star and Pirates Rugby Club team captain Eric Butime.

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