The Uganda Cup was once a fiery highlight of the local rugby calendar but has taken on a more preseason character this year as clubs use it to gauge their readiness for the 2026 Premiership.
The absence of a sponsor has further dented the competition, with several, especially lower-tier teams from upcountry, struggling with logistics and handing out walkovers in the expanded-format tournament.
For Kobs head coach Timothy Mudoola, who took charge at the start of the year, the Cup was meant to provide vital match time to assess combinations and build cohesion.
Instead, his side has been forced to operate with limited competitive action.
Their opening fixture against Kakira Simbas was cancelled due to the visitors’ failure to provide an ambulance.
They responded with a commanding 102-3 win over Fort Portal Tyrants, then battled past Buffaloes 16-14 at Legends.
Their final pool match against Kyambogo was also scrapped, leaving Mudoola with less on-field evidence than he had hoped for.
Mudoola, whose side reached the semifinals last season and endured a subdued Sevens campaign after failing to win any circuit and finishing sixth, remains encouraged by the group’s progress.
‘It’s my first season at the club and one of the key tasks has been blending the new and old blood. The growth is visible from the Sevens and earlier Premiership games,’ he said.
He admits, however, that the walkovers have impeded Kobs’ ability to rediscover their trademark flowing rugby.
‘The Uganda Cup should help us elevate from last season into the next. We’re working to settle on the best patterns and bring back that poetry in motion that defines Kobs. Unfortunately, walkovers have denied us valuable minutes, but we’ve compensated with intense training sessions and the matches we’ve played.’
Kobs will now hope the knockout rounds provide some meaningful action as they host Rhinos in the first leg of their quarterfinal on Friday afternoon at Legends.
Mudoola is rallying his troops to stage a fight and win their eighth title after previously claiming the Cup in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2019 editions.
Elsewhere, a high-flying Black Pirates side will host Impis in Friday’s other quarterfinal at King’s Park Arena in Bweyogerere.
2025 UGANDA CUP
Quarterfinal fixtures – Friday
Kobs vs. Rhinos, Legends – 4.30pm
Pirates vs. Impis, Bweyogerere – 4.30pm