RUGBY

Legendary Uganda Rugby Cranes coach Robert Sseguya, who has succumbed to leukemia - a cancer of the blood and bone marrow - is being remembered as a mentor, a fierce competitor and a great friend, as the sporting fraternity comes to grips with his death at the age of 43.

He breathed his last on Tuesday.

"Uganda Rugby mourns the loss of legendary player and coach Robert Sseguya. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted Uganda Rugby Union, as tributes continued to flow early Wednesday.

Affectionately known as 'Soggy' in the rugby world, Sseguya was in May this year (2021) admitted at Mulago National Referral Hospital with what would later be confirmed as leukemia.

He had initially been admitted to Mukono International Hospital, then transferred to Nakasero Hospital, which referred him to Mulago, as his situation worsened. 

At the time, following that dampening news on one of Ugandan rugby's biggest icons, the fraternity got together in a race to save his life. Fundraising events, including rugby matches, a car wash and auctioning, were organized to help the ailing national team coach.

The Beyond Rugby Trust Fund was also created to raise funds for Sseguya. This fund was meant to continue raising money for similar interventions in the future.

Coach Robert Sseguya (left) giving instructions to Eliphazi Emong during a Jinja Hippos game. (Credit: Johnson Were)

Seven months after Sseguya being diagnosed with cancer, Ugandans are now paying glowing tributes to a man who has left a mark on Ugandan rugby.

"You were a great friend, team-mate, coach, the list is endless; but above all, you made a great difference in our lives and always saw the best in us. We will miss you dearly," tweeted Andrew Owor, the Vice-President of Rugby Africa.

National Rugby 15s and 7s player Philip Wokorach, who is based in France, tweeted his tribute with a picture of him seated next to Sseguya on his hospital bed.

"My mentor, my support, my inspiration, my motivation and most of all my coach and a close friend.  Seen me through it all n has been there in all ways. You believed in me when no one did. Gone too soon. RIP well papa," wrote the 27-year-old, who currently plays for Bédarrides/Châteauneuf-du-Pape as a fullback.

BBC's Nick Cavell, who covers African sport, said he was "speechless" over Sseguya's passing, adding that it "was a privilege to have known him, trained with him and seen him in action". 

"Absolutely devastated to hear this... Uganda rugby has lost a true legend... unassuming off the pitch uncompromising on it. Thoughts are with family, friends and the whole Uganda rugby family," tweeted Cavell.

Tweep @Jude_Mugabi said Sseguya was a true legend. "Versatile player. Fierce competitor. True Ugandan legend. Can lay claim to being Uganda’s greatest rugby player ever. Rest In Peace, Soggy."

Robert Sseguya was an inspiration to many Ugandan rugby players

Sseguya featured as a player for the national team many times, including the 7s team that played at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games. As a player, he was a winner of the 2006 Elgon Cup, an annual contest between the rugby union teams of Uganda and neighbours Kenya.

He was also a two-time African Championship winner (2002 and 2007), and won five league titles and seven Uganda Cups with Heathens.

In September this year, the former national Rugby 15s coach left his role as Jinja Hippos Rugby Club head coach due to his poor state of health. Charles Onen was appointed as his successor.

The club had seen "incredible progress" under Sseguya, who lifted the Hippos from bottom of the league at the end of 2018 to a fourth-place finish in the 2020/21 season.

Sseguya had started the rugby coach for Hana International School coach, and climbed his way up the echelons to the national men’s 15s team.

As tributes continue to flow, Ugandans, particularly those keen on rugby, will continue to reflect on a career of one of the country's greatest rugby players and coaches.