Rugby: Enterprise Cup returns

For the first time since 1999, the East Africa Enterprise Cup returns to Uganda this weekend.

This is a tournament, that was started in Kenya, back in 1929, as a competition where the best rugby teams from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania would go up against each other as an annual regional tournament.

Yet, for the bigger part of the last 26 years, it has been a preserve for Kenyan clubs. Logistics of travelling across borders became a problem for the clubs from both Uganda and Tanzania. That saw Kenyan side Non-Descript, famously known as the Nondies dominate it with 25 titles.

For the Ugandan sides, the crave is to one time get their hands on the Enterprise Cup ahead of the more dominant Kenyan sides. This points to how much they are looking forward to the action this weekend at Wankulukuku stadium.

Action will see the Stanbic Black Pirates face KCB Rugby, while the Platinum Credit Heathens battle Kabras Sugar, the current Kenyan champions. In light of that, Tolbert Onyango, the Heathens coach said that it was exciting to face-off with Kenyan opposition.

“The players are eager and looking forward to the contest. Obviously, we expect Kabras to give us a tough game. But more importantly, they do not know us, and neither do we know them much. That should pose an interesting challenge, seeing what tactics they apply to counter us,” Onyango said.

However, for the president of Uganda Rugby, Godwin Kayangwe, the Enterprise Cup is long overdue. Kayangwe said that it will go a long way in raising the competitive standards between Uganda and Kenya.

Also, he saw it as strategic investment in the regional game, which would accelerate player development, strengthening coaching, and creating a clear high performance pathway to national team rugby. By extension, former Rugby Cranes coach, Yayiro Kasasa noted that the best Ugandan rugby players are going to face big tests here.

He continued that without a doubt, Uganda has closed the gap between itself and Kenya over the years. But seeing the manner in which Uganda lost to Kenya last year, 24-32 in the Rugby Africa Cup, there is definitely something that Kenya still has over Uganda.

“And beyond the league, what was next for our players in terms of competition? That is why having the Enterprise Cup is strategically good for our players’ growth,” Kasasa, who played in the Enterprise Cup back in the early 1990s noted.

Yet, Kasasa is quick to add that during that time, they did not have many opportunities to play in the Enterprise Cup because Ugandans clubs could not afford to travel. That must have played a big part in keeping the gap between Uganda and Kenya wide.

That said, Fred Mudoola, the current Rugby Cranes coach spoke explicitly about his excitement about the Enterprise Cup’s return to Uganda. His hope is that it is here to stay, and becomes a franchise tournament, where it provides constant engagement for Uganda’s players.

None more so than William Nkore, a Rugby Cranes and Pirates Fly-half is excited about this whole new arrangement. Last year, upon winning the 15s league, Pirates hosted Kenyan side Menengai Oilers. Losing to the Kenyans 29-45, brought Pirates, who had been high flying domestically, back to earth.

Nkore said that as players, facing international opposition is what they have always wanted. However, test rugby has normally been a preserve for national team players.

Yet, now, with the Enterprise Cup, Nkore believes that they have a chance to show their competitive edge against Kenyan opposition, and KCB Rugby, runners-up in the Kenyan league cannot come sooner.