Remera Buffaloes lift Western Uganda Charity rugby 7s

By Usher Komugisha in Mbarara

The UCU Shepherds were humiliated by the Rwanda Buffaloes 41-7 in the finals of the second edition of the Western Uganda Charity rugby Sevens that were held at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) ground on Saturday.

The two-time varsity league champions who were up against a Rwandan outfit with most of its players straight from last weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens failed to contain the high level fitness and skill level of their opponents.

“As a team we are so happy with the way we performed at this tournament. We got to know about the tournament five days ago but nevertheless we made it to the finals,” UCU’s contented captain Frederick Odongo sounded contented.

Eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) Benjamin Makombe and the tournament’s top try scorer Vincent Kamali made two tries each before Ignance Nsanzimana, Aime Ndahirwa and Marcel Cambara-koko added one each.

Three were converted by Julien Nshimiyimana. UCU’s Caesar Mboyo made the varsity’s only try and converted it.

Meanwhile, tournament organizers and hosts-Western Uganda rugby club have expressed excitement and contentment at the progress of the tournament that attracted 12 teams.

“This is the biggest crowd (approximately 800 people) to come and watch a rugby tournament and for all these corporate companies to come on board is a great achievement,” said Bobby Nyonyozi.

Ntare were also crowned champions after they thrashed Mbarara High school 17-0 in the schools’ category.

Ntare also defeated Mbarara High 11-0 and 5-0 in the U-16 and U-19 categories respectively. Ntare’s Paul Lyaguma was voted the upcoming player of the schools category after he played a total of eight games for both his school and the Sharks in the main cup tournament.

Western Uganda Charity rugby sevens

Finals: Rwanda Buffaloes 41 UCU Shepherds 7

Semi-finals: UCU 17 Mustangs 7

       Buffaloes 17 Rams 5

Schools: Ntare 17 Mbarara High 0

U-16: Ntare 11 Mbarara High 0

U-19: Ntare 5 Mbarara High 0