Thunderbirds reclaimed their Crown after winning against Nile Rapids RFC in an 18–05 battle at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds on Saturday, 16 May 2026. A Record Fifth Uganda Rugby Women’s Premiership title.
The final served as the last fixture of the Uganda Rugby Women’s Premiership, with the trophy awarded directly to the winner. Thunderbirds and Nile Rapids, two of the country’s strongest sides, met in a clash of legacy and momentum. Thunderbirds leaned on their experience at Kyadondo to grind out a tight, physical contest, shutting down the challenge of a hungry Nile Rapids side determined to lift their first Premiership trophy.
Thunderbirds stayed composed in the game’s critical moments, holding their shape under pressure and capitalising on Nile Rapids’ early mistakes. They built a 15–0 lead by halftime. Thunderbirds added a second‑half penalty to stretch the lead to 18–0, before the Rapids mounted a late surge.
Thunderbirds controlled territory and discipline, starving Nile Rapids of clean ball and time, while the Rapids kept searching for a way through until the final whistle. Rapids grabbed a late try that brought the score to 18–05, offering a glimmer of hope but not enough to derail Thunderbirds’ discipline and organisation in the decisive fixture.
This fifth title lifts Thunderbirds one clear of Black Pearls, breaking the shared record for the most Premiership crowns in Ugandan Women’s rugby history so far. They previously won four straight titles from 2017 to 2020 and now restore their dominance after the league’s return in 2022. Kyadondo Rugby Grounds once again proved an almost impenetrable fortress when the season’s final match was on the line.
Thunderbirds head coach Mr. Kigongo was visibly emotional as he celebrated with his squad. “First of all, I have to say I’m very happy,” he said. “It has been a long, long journey to get to where we are. It’s been a lot of work — raising money to train, going to the gym, coming to the pitch, juggling jobs and commitments. We didn’t just hope it would pay off; it has paid off. The only thing we can do now is figure out how we stay on top.”
For Nile Rapids, the defeat marks the end of a breakout campaign that already brought them two Uganda Cup titles and their first premiership final. Tina Akello, who led the Rapids on the field, remained proud despite the loss. “I’m proud that we reached this stage, even though we lost,” she said. “We didn’t have possession for most of the game, but hard luck to us and congratulations to Thunderbirds. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger next time.”
Nile Rapids have firmly established themselves as a force at the top of the table, and their arrival in the final underlines how quickly the landscape of Ugandan women’s rugby is changing. For now, the trophy stays with Thunderbirds, but the gap between the old guard and the new challengers is narrowing.
Congratulations Thunderbirds!