Ugandan coach Benon Mugisha capped a remarkable season by guiding Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Volleyball Club to the 2026 Rwanda Volleyball League title after a dramatic 3-2 finals series victory over Police.
Mugisha’s road to the championship was built on resilience, tactical discipline and belief in his shorthanded squad.
Seen as the underdogs going into the finals, REG fashioned a comeback from a 2-0 hole in a five-game series to clinch the championship 3-2.
Back-to-back victories in Game Four and Five delivered the championship for a REG side that only got into the playoffs by winning their last regular season fixture against APR.
Having gone down 2-0, REG needed to be perfect to get back into the series and avoid a sweep.
And a 3-1 win in Game Three kept them alive, ensuring the series stretched to Game Four, and then a decisive Game Five.
With confidence restored, Mugisha’s side entered the decisive Game Five determined to complete the turnaround.
REG produced a composed display and swept Police aside in straight sets, taking the first 25-22, the second 25-14 and the third 25-to clinch the title.
Momentum shift
After two games of the series, there appeared to be one winner in the finals.
Police were cruising. REG could not find a response. Middle blocker Samuel Engwau was out nursing an injury.
A much-needed break came in the series as the two sides turned their attention to the CAVB Men’s Club Championship hosted in Kigali.
And as if to reemphasize the status quo in Rwanda, Police finished highest among the local teams, clinching silver after losing to giants Al Ahly in the final.
REG, meanwhile, defied odds again to win bronze and make it two medals for Rwanda in the competition.
Back to the league finals, nothing much had changed ate REG. Engwau was still unable to play from the start but was on the bench.
But Mugisha’s leadership stood out as he empowered the available options to get the job done.
Police started Game Three like a team facing elimination and cruised to the first two sets.
And despite losing the third, they still had enough in the tank to claim a 3-1 win and force Game Four.
Police reorganized themselves and started well in Game Four but REG came from two sets down to win the match 3-2 and force the series into a decisive Game Five.
Carrying the momentum into Game Five proved pivotal for Mugisha and his charges as Police struggled to get going in the winner-takes-it-all affair.
Led by former Sport-S star Thon Maker and eventual MVP Nicholas Matui, REG wiped the floor with Police in the decider.
Enhanced reputation
Mugisha took over a REG side that was struggling to rub shoulders with Rwanda’s best teams.
It was also a team in transition following a mass exodus of star players, including Ugandan international Gideon Angiro who crossed to Police.
Bringing in new talent meant patience would be needed. It was always going to take time for all the pieces to click.
But when they did, REG started asking questions of teams previously touted as favourites.
They locked APR out of the playoffs to take the final slot, defeated Kepler 3-0 in the semis before ensuring Police ended a second straight season with defeat in the finals.
It is the second time Mugisha is leading REG to league success. He was also part of the third title they won in 2023 but parted ways with the team midway through that campaign.
The title adds to an impressive year for the Ugandan tactician, who had already earned praise for leading REG to a continental bronze medal in Kigali.
For Mugisha, the triumph represented more than just another trophy. It was confirmation of his growing reputation as one of East Africa’s top volleyball coaches, capable of competing and succeeding at both domestic and continental level.
‘Winning the league means a lot to me and REG because it was like three years without winning it and we needed to put REG back where it belongs,’ Mugisha told Daily Monitor after Sunday’s celebrations.
He added: ‘The season has been the best so far in my career, winning Genocide Memorial Tournament, Kayumba Memorial and the league, then being number three in Africa. We really thank God for reaching this far, and the players for the maximum efforts they have put in.’
Since returning to the Rwandan side on a two-year contract, Mugisha has revitalized the team, combining tactical discipline, resilience, and strong leadership to get the team back to winning ways.
Little wonder that when the season’s Dream Team was named, REG had up to four players, with MVP Nicholas Matui, setter Crispin Ntanteteri, middle blocker Emmy Twagirayezu and outside hitter Merci Gisubizo all recognized.
Benon Mugisha
Accolades won this season
Rwanda Volleyball League, Genocide Memorial Tournament, Kayumba Memorial, Bronze at CAVB Men’s Club Championship