Eight teams. Four ties. One goal: a place in the semi-finals. The Uganda Rugby Premiership quarter-finals start today with home‑and‑away knockout battles across Kampala, Jinja, Makerere and Entebbe. First‑leg matches kick off at 4:00 PM and 2pm for Victoria Sharks vs Heathens today, with aggregate scores over both legs deciding who reaches the last Semi Finals.

Victoria Sharks vs Platinum Credit Heathens – 4:00 PM, Kyambogo

Heathens finished fourth in the regular season (8 wins, 3 losses); Sharks came fifth (6 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses). Their last meeting ended 30–5 to Heathens, giving the visitors the head‑to‑head edge.

The tie has a venue twist: the match has been moved from Kyadondo to Kyambogo, a pitch Sharks have used as their home base for most of the season. That familiarity could help them keep the tie tight on aggregate, even though both teams list Kyadondo as their traditional home ground.

Heathens come in on stronger form, but Sharks have shown they are hard to break down, drawing the most games in the top eight. Leg one at Kyambogo gives them a chance to blunt Heathens’ momentum and keep the series alive for the return leg.

Walukuba Barbarians vs Stanbic Black Pirates – 4:00 PM, Jinja

Pirates topped the table with 10 wins and only one loss in 11 games. Walukuba finished eighth (3 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses) and will need a massive turnaround to make this a contest.

The sides met in the final round of the regular season, with Pirates running out 57–6 winners. That result underlined the gap between the league leaders and the lowest playoff seed. Walukuba’s task is to limit the damage at home and keep the second leg at least within reach.

For Pirates, the goal is simple: win big in Jinja and keep the pressure on. For Walukuba, it is about pride, survival and staying competitive for as long as possible.

Impis vs KCB Kobs – 4:00 PM, Makerere

Kobs finished second (9 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), their only defeat coming against Pirates. Impis ended seventh (6 wins, 5 losses). The two sides met in the regular season with Kobs winning 34–24, a result that reflects their consistency and attacking edge.

Kobs have been the most consistent challengers to the league leaders all season. They come into this tie as clear favourites, with quality across the squad and the advantage of playing the first leg at Makerere.

Impis have shown flashes of form this season and will need a near‑perfect performance at Makerere to stay in the tie. If they can keep the score close, they may create an opening in the second leg. Kobs, however, will be expecting to control territory and restrict mistakes.

Plascon Mongers vs Toyota Buffaloes – 4:00 PM, Entebbe

Buffaloes finished third (8 wins, 3 losses); Mongers came sixth (7 wins, 4 losses). The two sides met in the first round with Buffaloes running out 25–12 winners, the narrowest margin of the four ties.

This is the closest pairing on paper, with only one win separating them over 11 games. While most of Mongers’ points have come off the boot this season, Buffaloes have built theirs through tries and set‑piece pressure. Expect a tight, physical, low‑margin tie where field position, discipline and the kicking game will decide the outcome.

Home advantage in Entebbe gives Mongers a chance to flip the script and carry a lead into the second leg. Buffaloes will back themselves to control territory and convert pressure into points, especially if they can keep the first‑leg score manageable.

The Knockout Structure

All four quarter‑finals are played over two legs, with the aggregate score deciding who reaches the semi‑finals. Away points do not carry extra weight, so every try, penalty and conversion matters in both matches. The side with the higher total after the second leg goes through; if the scores are level, the tie will be decided by the standard competition tie‑breaker rules set by the Uganda Rugby Union. The quarter‑finals set the tone for the rest of the Premiership season: win over two legs and you are one step closer to the title; lose, and the campaign ends here.

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