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Hippos, Walukuba cracker to restore mood at closed Dam Waters bar
Heathens' Lawrence Sebuliba (R) races away from Walukuba's Reuben Kagwasagye at Kyadondo. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
Main hosts Jinja Hippos and Walukuba Barbarians will battle later in the day not only for the bragging rights but the match serves both as a final for the Eastern Giants Cup and last group game of Group B schedule of the Masters Tournament.
The bad news for sports revelers at the iconic Dam Waters grounds in Jinja is that their favourite hangout pitchside bar Pit Stop Lounge has been closed down. The bar was sealed off by the taxman because of unpaid taxes estimated at around Shs300m. But the good news is that rugby is not grossly affected as the pitches are free for use.
For that matter, the grounds will be a bee-hive of activities this Saturday as up to four preseason rugby matches are set to prepare the fans’ moods ahead of the season scheduled to kick off on January 11.
First, Njeru Hurricanes will battle Wolves in a third-place playoff of the Eastern Giants Cup from midday. At the same time, on the main pitch, Uganda Cup holders Nile Rapids will battle She-Wolves for the ladies' title.
Nile Rapids may want to take this match seriously and earn at least a preseason silverware after the Uganda Rugby Union cancelled this year’s edition of the Uganda Cup and pushed it to next year in September.
Double delight
In the other events, Toyota Buffaloes and Makerere Impis will face off in the final Group A matches of the inaugural Masters Invitational Trophy with both aiming for the second position.
Main hosts Jinja Hippos and Walukuba Barbarians will battle later in the day not only for the bragging rights but the match serves both as a final for the Eastern Giants Cup and last group game of Group B schedule of the Masters Tournament.
Hippos need to at least avoid a loss to their arch-rivals to set a final in the Masters Cup with Heathens for a Shs2.5m prize money. Walukuba who lost to Kobs last weekend in makerere will need more than just a win.
Hippos newly-elected chairman Joshua Wakabi confirmed that the club will use the match to raise awareness on menstrual health and continue fundraising for Nile Rapids and Lady Sevens Cranes player Pauline Bakabirwe who is set to undergo surgery. Bakabirwe suffered an injury on her left-knee during Uganda Cup final early in the year.
Eastern Giants Cup
Njeru Hurricanes vs. Wolves, 12pm
Nile Rapids vs. She-Wolves, 12pm
Masters Invitational Tournament
Impis vs. Buffaloes, 2pm
Hippos vs. Walukuba, 4pm
