The Black Pirates clinched the 2023 Nile Special 7s title after emerging winners of the Kyabazinga 7s in Jinja City. 

They beat the Toyota Buffaloes 29-7 in the final to finish with an unassailable 134 points atop the log.

The seventh and final leg of the Nile Special National 7s was hosted by the Walukuba Barbarians from Saturday to Sunday at the Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe. 

En route to finals, Black Pirates defeated rivals and closest challengers Heathens 21-5 in the quarterfinals to set up a semi-final clash against the Jinja Hippos who they edged 19-12 to reach the final. 

Black Pirates's Muhammed Haruna tries to bulldoze his way through the Toyota Buffaloes backline. Photo by Donald Kiirya

Conrad Wanyama made several tries over the two-day tourney to spur his side to another national rugby 7s title. 

Heathens finished second on the log with 114, Kobs with 109, Jinja Hippos 103, Toyota Buffaloes 96, Mongers 85, Walukuba Barbarians 82, Rhinos 79, Impis 69, Rams 49 and Warriors 38.

In the ladies’ bracket, Avengers defeated Black Pearls and won the Kyabazinga 7s.

The circuit’s MVP award went to Vincent Okello of Buffaloes while Christine Akwedde of Thunderbirds was voted the best female player. 

The Avengers RC were jubilant after winning the Kyabazinga 7s circuit. Photo by Donald Kiirya

Busoga Kingdom’s 2nd deputy prime minister, Osman Ahmed Noor, handed over the trophy, a replica of the new Jinja Nile Bridge to the Black Pirates who also received sh5m.

In his remarks, Noor thanked the organisers of the Kyabazinga 7s circuit for the great tournament adding that the Kyabazinga Bwa Busoga institution was proud to associate itself with the wonderful sport of rugby.

“When I was seated in the tent, I was informed that rugby sport started in the Busoga sub-region in the 1930s. So, we are here today celebrating this sport that shows history has come back to its origin,” he said. 

Noor requested people from Busoga to continue embracing rugby by registering in various clubs and playing. 

He thanked sponsors for enabling the tournament to be staged successfully stage and thanked the media for its efforts in reporting about the tournament.

Noor further thanked the Uganda Rugby Union (UR) for making the sport a calendar event that happens and appreciated the 22 teams that participated for exhibiting discipline.

URU president, Godwin Kayangwe, thanked Busoga Kingdom for the delegation it sent to officiate at the Kyabazinga 7s and further thanked all the teams that played in the Nile Special 7s all over the country.  

Kingdom officials present included Busoga Kingdom leaders such as sports minister Amin Bbosa, his deputy Daniel Musota, agriculture state minister Matia Wakalali, Prince Joshua Kitimbo, Omoro County MP and URU official Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, URU’s Eric Butime.