When Rugby Cranes shocked IRB World Cup-bound Namibia

What you need to know:

RUGBY. In 2007, Namibia was flying high. They qualified for that year’s Rugby World Cup held in France. But before they travelled, Namibia had ‘minor’ business to take care of in Kampala in the quadrennial showpiece’s qualifiers. Uganda were drawn in the South Pool Group A with the Southern Africans and Zambia. Here, the Rugby Cranes were undergoing some changes. And the team was full of intent

South African Chester Williams, a 1995 World Cup winner, had just handed over the coaching reigns to Yayiro Kasasa with David Dobela joining as the Technical Director of rugby in Uganda.
As expected, Namibia got off to a sparkling start. They took a 12-0 lead at halftime and literally all the fans across the terraces cut a sad posture. In the second half, Uganda pulled off a remarkable comeback with tries from Allan ‘Sokee’ Musoke, captain Adrian Bukenya and Simon Wakabi.
At full time, Kampala Rugby Football Club (now Legends), was literally on fire. Uganda had won 20-19. This team would go on to beat the odds to emerge Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) champions. Many rugby fans and players, will never forget that day, June 23, 2007. Again, many in the rugby fraternity believe that this team remains the best ever and that game is touted as the ‘biggest game-ever’ played here. We bring you the Ugandan stars that featured on the day.

Richard Lumu: He was playing for Kobs then. A qualified nurse, he is a coach/player at Rams.

Felix Lubega: He was a winger for Pirates. He is also a doctor and works with Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services for Uganda (Corsu).
Allan Matsiko: He was playing for Kobs then. Few people know that it was because of him that his cousin, Brian Tabaruka, took up rugby. He currently works at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).

Ronnie Mwisaka: He was a lock at Heathens then. He also played for Impis. He took a break in 2010 but the addictive nature of rugby pulled him back to Heathens in 2014. He currently manages an Airtel outlet along Luwum Street.

Kenneth Mutabaruka: He is now a lawyer but played for Kobs then.

Ronald Adigasi: A veteran prop of the game, he has played for Mongers his entire career. He works at Entebbe Handling Services (ENHAS).

Simon Wakabi: He ran rings around the Namibians’ defence in this game, scoring a breathtaking try. He was a fullback at Kobs then but plays for Mongers now. He works in Entebbe.

Allan Musoke: To many, he is the best player that the nation has ever produced. He was a winger at Kobs and his searing pace and eye for the try line left many markers trembling with fear. ‘Sokee’, as he is commonly known around rugby circles, was a multi-talented player, who also played basketball for DMark Power. He works at Bank of Africa and is also a celebrated events emcee. He is also the Lady Cranes 15s coach.

Timothy Mudoola: A Kobs centre, he provided stability to the team. He currently works with Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL) as a distributor in Western Uganda

Tony ‘Stone’ Luggya: To know how respected he is, just walk around Kyadondo and Legends Rugby clubs asking about ‘Doctor’. Almost everyone will point at Luggya. He was a centre for Kobs. Currently works with The Surgery and is also a medical consultant/ chief medic of the national teams.

Bonny Morrow: Was playing for Rhinos as a winger. Not much to write about his current condition as many have seen him ‘high’ in recent years.

Edmond Tumisiime: He is rated one of the best flyhalfs ever, if not the best. He started rugby because his brother, Donald Mugisha, was a rugby captain at Namilyango College. “One day, my brother came home with a tape of the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. When I watched the game, I got hooked immediately,” he is quoted by the press in 2014.
Such was the talent that when he joined the sport, he became the best at it. A chief pivot at Kobs, he took a sabbatical in 2009, at just 26. His comeback in 2012 did not last long due to a heavy work schedule. He is currently into private business.

Anthony Kinene: He was a scrum-half at Pirates. He is still loyal to the ‘Sea Robbers’ as head coach and is also the national women 7s team coach.

Mathias Ochwo: He was and still is a Heathens flanker. He is also into private businesses.

Robert Seguya: The debate on who Uganda’s best rugby player of all time will always be between Musoke and Seguya. A battle hardened player, ‘Soggy’, a former boxer, always led with a lion’s heart. His never-say-die and take-no-prisoners approach endeared him to many. He is now head coach at Hima Cement Heathens.

Moses Soita: He was playing for Pirates, as a lock. Currently works with an investment firm.

Brian Makalama: Talk about size and Makalama had it in plenty, with his 100kg-plus stature. A hippo of a man, he was a prop for Pirates. He now a coach in Kenya.

Alex Mubiru: Still a loyal hooker at Heathens, Mubiru is an IT expert. He formerly worked in Toyota’s IT department but now works with a private IT company.

Fred Mudoola: He was a prop at Kobs. He is also a brother to Timothy. Charlotte Mudoola, their sister, is the captain at Black Panthers. Fred works in the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) finance department. He also coached Kobs and Namilyango College, which he led to four schools titles in a row (2004-2008).

Adrian Bukenya: The team captain, he was a lock at Kobs. Bukenya, soft-spoken and gentle, will always beam with pride whenever this team is talked about. He led with maturity and was an example to many players. He currently works at Tullow Oil Uganda and is also the chairman of Kobs.