More Than Rugby: Victoria Sharks Send 18 Players Into Graduation

Victoria University’s rugby club, Victoria Sharks RFC, will send 18 players into graduation next week — the club’s largest graduating class since its formation in 2023 and a powerful statement of its rugby-and-education model.

The 17 will graduate during Victoria University’s 10th graduation ceremony on Monday, October 19, and Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The group includes seven diploma graduates, seven bachelor’s degree graduates and three master’s degree graduates.

It is a remarkable milestone for a club formed only three years ago with just 13 players.

Victoria Sharks were formed after Victoria University extended scholarships to talented but financially disadvantaged players identified through the age-grade pathway and collaborations with their parent clubs.

Club chairman and Victoria University sports coordinator Patrick Ssebuliba said the initiative began with about 14 scholarships, developed alongside age-grade rugby head Dorothy Nekesa and Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence Muganga.

“Professor Muganga bought into the idea that, as a community university, Victoria University should give back to the community,” Ssebuliba said.

That idea has since grown into one of Ugandan rugby’s most notable player-development stories.

Last year, the Sharks celebrated their first graduates. Daniel Kateregga, Vincent Sworo and Daniel Ebau completed diploma programmes, while Isaac Tago and Emmanuel Samma earned master’s degrees. They were among the first players to join the club at its formation and the first to complete their studies. The diploma graduates have since progressed into degree programmes.

This year’s class is even bigger.

From Sevens Champions to Graduates

Victoria Sharks began as a university sevens side before expanding into fifteens. They won the University Rugby Sevens in their debut year and have since retained the title.

The club then entered the Central Region Championship, completed the campaign unbeaten and earned promotion to Uganda’s top-flight XVs competition.

Since joining the Premiership, the Sharks have quickly established themselves, reaching the quarter-finals in the 2025 season.

After promotion, the university approved further recruitment. With head coach Kevin Makmot and team manager Roy Cynthia Nabukeera supporting the expansion, the squad grew to about 60 players, with around 50 students now on scholarship — a significant increase from the roughly 14 scholarships that launched the programme.

Managing Class, Training and Recovery

For pioneer player Hillary Amaku, the journey has demanded discipline on the field and in the classroom in equal measure.

The university structured academic sessions and rugby training to avoid clashes, allowing players to attend class during the day before joining training. Amaku said the biggest challenge has been fatigue.

“The biggest challenge has been fatigue — moving from class to training and then to matches,” he said.

Amaku also benefited from the university’s welfare support. Apart from a monthly examination access fee, his tuition and related costs were covered throughout his time at Victoria University.

That support became especially important after he suffered a serious injury that required surgery in June. The university covered the cost, and Amaku has since returned to gym work and selected team activities while continuing his rehabilitation.

“They have been supportive throughout — academically, financially and through the injury,” Amaku said. “Even now that I am done with my studies, they are still there for me and still pushing me.”

The Class of 2026

Those set to graduate are:

Diploma: Hillary Amaku, Godfrey Peter Otim, Steven Kalema, Emma Ochan, Aaron Tukei, Marvin Asaba and Allan Kyagulanyi.

Master’s Degree: Paul Epillo, Davis Kyewalabye and Wilfred Seguya.

Bachelor’s Degree: Gerald Mutwezi, Calvin Gizamba, Joel Batindira, Joseph Kana, Owen Taremwa, Sam Maani and David Awan.

For Ssebuliba, the class validates the vision that guided the club from the beginning.

“What began as a boardroom meeting is now celebrating the fruits of graduates ready to be absorbed into the mainstream workforce,” he said. “That was always our goal: to give talented young rugby players who could not access university education an opportunity.”

Victoria University sees itself as a pathway rather than a permanent home for every athlete. The club will continue supporting any player who wishes to upgrade academically and remains performing well, but its broader aim is to prepare players for life beyond rugby.

Ssebuliba invited other clubs with talented players seeking university opportunities to engage Victoria University, adding that he hopes a women’s rugby programme will soon be introduced.

For Victoria Sharks, next week’s graduation is more than a celebration of academic achievement. It is proof that a club built to develop rugby players can also prepare them for life beyond the game.

“There is always life after rugby. Young players should be encouraged to study when the opportunity comes,” Ssebuliba said.

Away from the graduation celebrations, attention briefly returns to the pitch this weekend as Victoria Sharks host Hima Impis, in a friendly match tomorrow at their new home, Kampala Rugby Grounds. Kick-off is at 4pm.