Uganda Prisons Service expands into rugby as new frontier

Uganda Prisons Service is stepping its footprint into a new challenging and tough sport called rugby.

The Prison warders have re-written records that would stand for decades in handball, netball, woodball, darts and athletics, but dynasties are not built on past glory; they are forged by conquering new frontiers.

According to Jimmy Anguzu, the sports officer, being challenged is in their DNA, and they are stepping onto the rugby turf to prove that grit, strategy and teamwork are universal driving forces for the warders.

"We have been successful in all other sports disciplines including darts, woodball, netball, taekwondo, football, athletics and handball. We want to bring rugby on board to challenge ourselves further," Anguzu said.

The expansion to rugby is aligned with the organisation's core mission of empowering youth in communities where they operate.

"Rugby is one of Uganda's fastest-growing sports, but player welfare remains inadequate. By placing players on the Uganda Prisons payroll through a Maroons Rugby Club setup, we would directly support talent development and accelerate the sport's growth nationwide," he explained.

Prisons boasts of experienced top rugby players, including Douglas Musoke, who features for Toyota Buffaloes in the Rugby Premiership.

Anguzu added that bringing rugby on board will also serve as a marketing strategy to tap into the sport's large following and promote products manufactured by Prisons.

Sending more players from Prison clubs to national teams is what motivates him to keep pushing for sports and expanding to disciplines like rugby, which gives recruits the opportunity to explore their talents.

The Senior Superintendent of Prisons lauded the Commissioner General of Prisons for the support and guidance that enables them to recruit strategically.

Anguzu added that the available facilities are sufficient to handle all the disciplines, and others will be upgraded in different phases according to priority and demand.

Rugby vice president Andrew Ojok welcomed the initiative, saying that Uganda Rugby is ready to offer technical support to Prisons and would like to spread the sport to the forces.