KCB KOBs end trophy drought with Kyabazinga 7s victory
The victory marks the club's first tournament win in the five of the 2026 Uganda Rugby 7s Series played, with one remaining to climax the season.
KCB Kobs celebratingwith their trophy after emerging winners of the Kyabazinga Sevens at Kyabazinga stadium in Bugembe on Sunday. Photo by Donald Kiirya
KCB KOBs ended their long wait for silverware on Sunday, lifting the Kyabazinga Rugby 7s trophy after a strong two-day campaign at Bugembe Stadium in Jinja.
The victory marks the club's first tournament win in the five of the 2026 Uganda Rugby 7s Series played, with one remaining to climax the season.
KOBs opened their Kyabazinga 7s campaign on Saturday in Pool C with a 17–10 win over Rams RFC before overcoming Mbale Elephants 31–21 and closing the pool stage with a 19–10 victory over Plascon Mongers.
The Chief Prince (Issabalangira) of Busoga Samuel Zirabamuzale Nkuutu (left) handing over the trophy to KCB Kobs captain after emerging champions of the Kyabazinga 7s at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe. Photo by Donald Kiirya
The team carried that momentum into the quarterfinal on Sunday with a 26–7 win over stubborn Mongers before edging Stanbic Black Pirates 12–5 in a closely contested semifinal.
In the final, the former champions had the chemistry to handle the pressure, and Rams could not shake them at all even at a time they led 12–5 at halftime.
In the second half, KOBs mounted pressure and their unstoppable try hunter Brian Wandera and Shafik Okole netted the tries with additional conversions by Josiah Ssempeke and Rasul Abiriga to give KOBs a 22–19 victory.
Thunderbirds celebrating with their trophy after emerging winners of the Kyabazinga Sevens womens' category at Kyabazinga stadium in Bugembe on Sunday. Photo by Donald Kiirya
The focus now turns to the Coronation Cup at Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, which is the finale of the six-series tournament.
"It is great winning the Kyabazinga 7s and this is going to be a stepping stone in the general return to contest for both the 7s and 15s titles," Ssempeke said.
Coach Trevour Tusiime echoed Ssempeke's words, saying, "We have been knocking on the door several times and I think it is time we celebrated victory."
This is a reward for persistence, a boost in the race for the 2026 Overall National Rugby 7s Series title, and a statement of intent ahead of the Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi's Coronation 7s, which is the grand finale of the series, this Friday and Saturday at Mutesa II Royal Stadium, Wankulukuku.
In the women's category, the Thunderbirds took the day, winning the Kyabazinga 7s to keep their overall title defence alive.