The Uganda Cup, Uganda’s top domestic rugby competition, is scheduled for an exhilarating return from October 18th to December 6th, 2025, after almost a two-year hiatus. The upcoming edition will feature a reimagined format, involving 20 men’s teams, alongside 8 women’s teams vying for the title. This revamped competition aims to elevate the standard of rugby and deliver a highly competitive, and engaging experience for players and fans alike. This years competition features teams such as:
Mens Competition
Platinum Credit Heathens, Life Guard Rams, Stanbic Black Pirates, Walukuba barbarians, Entebbe Mongers, Kigezi Silverbacks, Rhinos, Hippos, Warriors, Gulu City Falcons, Mbale Elephants, KCB KOBs, Toyota Buffaloes, Amara kyambogo, Kakira Simbas, Fort Portal Tyrants, Victoria Sharks, Elgon Wolves, Impis and Kitgum Lions.
Womens competition:
Thunderbirds, Nile Rapids, Panthers, Mbale Eagles, Avengers, Ewes, She Wolves, and Kigezi Queens.
In an exclusive interview, Mr. Ramsey Fidel Ndir the Chief Technical Officer of the Uganda Rugby Union , shared the vision behind the return of the Uganda Cup. The return from hiatus is marked by a revolutionary change. The classic knockout format has been replaced by group stages designed to deliver more rugby, and more opportunities.
“In previous years the Uganda Cup used to be a knock out tournament, it’s no longer like that,” stated Mr. Ndir. “They now play in 4 groups of 5 teams each, so a team plays 4 games each. So it’s not just a knockout. You have a chance to play 4 games so it’s a chance to gauge where you are, and to get a better feel of the season so it’s very different from the knock out format.” The 2025 edition casts its net wider than ever before, actively integrating the heartland of Ugandan rugby into the national spotlight.
“We changed the format to include more regional clubs so that they play against the traditional clubs,” Mr. Ndir explained, highlighting the opportunity for teams like the Kigezi Silverbacks, and Kitgum Lions to test themselves against giants like the Heathens, Hippos, and Pirates among others.Crucially, the schedule empowers the upcountry teams. “We choose to have the regional clubs that are upcountry to host 3 games out of 4. They only travel for one game, so it’s great for them as they have the advantage of playing at home, and not spending too much on travel.”
In a massive boost for the women’s game, 8 elite women’s teams will compete in their own dedicated bracket, ensuring that the return of the Cup champions the growth of Ugandan women’s rugby.
The spirit of the Cup, where legends are born and giants can fall, remains the tournament’s soul.
“Traditionally Uganda Cup has been built on giving growing clubs a chance to play against the traditional bigger clubs, we are trying to keep that tradition by having the 12 top teams from the championship of the top tier against the 2 regional winners across all the regions so we have that tradition of Uganda cup maintained,” Mr. Ndir affirmed.
This is more than a spectator sport; it’s a national movement. Mr. Ndir has a clear message for every rugby fan in Uganda: “Fans should look forward to traveling, enjoying road trips, and exploring different cultures in Kitgum, Mbale and other venues that will host the Uganda Cup.”
The significant return of the Uganda Cup a national obsession is a key highlight towards the resilient growth of Ugandan Rugby, providing more room to exercise competitive rugby in different regions across the country.
The tournament was last played in 2023 with Platinum Credit Heathens Rugby Club emerging victorious against the Life guard Rams in the mens competition, and Nile Rapids dominating the womens category against the Avengers at Kings Park Arena Bweyogerere on Saturday 20th January 2024.
Round 1 Fixtures for the 2025 Uganda Cup:
URU has taken a step forward to further introduce independent social media channels to keep fans updated about the happenings of the event all over the country.
Follow the official Uganda Cup X account by tapping the image below.
