KCB Kobs usher in new coaching team

KCB Kobs have confirmed club legend Timothy Mudoola as head coach ahead of the new rugby season.

This was revealed during Saturday’s Annual General Meeting held by the club at Kati Kati Restaurant in Kampala.

Club chairman Dr. Stone Tonny Luggya highlighted the team’s good performance on the pitch, which has somehow failed to turn into wins and trophies over the last few years as a big factor in appointing the former Rugby Cranes star.

"We as KCB- Kobs have gone back to the drawing board having held a drought of trophies from 2019 when we last won the League trophy and 7s has been near misses," Luggya said.

"This time round we have done our home work and the coming League should be ours for the taking,” he added.

Mudoola will be assisted by another former Kobs player, Keith Sseruyange.

The two will replace Victor Wadiya and Davis Kyewalabye, who were in charge of the team last season.

Luggya noted that: “With the new leadership, we aim to dominate both games and the scoreboards this season.”

Kobs have struggled for silverware recently and were pushed out of the top three in all competitions last season to emphasize the challenges faced during Luggya’s chairmanship.

Victory in the Mbarara 7s turned out to be Kobs’ biggest achievement in the Nile Special 7s Championship as the club ranked fourth overall, falling behind eventual winners Platinum Credit Heathens, Stanbic Black Pirates and the Jinja Hippos.

In the Uganda Cup, Kobs finished fourth overall despite winning all its group games. The Blue Army were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champions Heathens.

In the new league format introduced last season, Kobs reached the top eight and defeated Plascon Mongers in the quarterfinals before falling to rivals Heathens in the semis.

Winning off the pitch

Yet another trophyless season for Kobs but there were some wins for the club off the pitch. Partnerships with KCB Bank and Guinness ensured the club was able to meet most of its costs throughout the season.

The banking institutions sponsored the club to a tune of Shs195m, 50m earmarked to sort the club’s kit woes.

In another deal secured by the club, Guinness came on board as Kit sponsor offering Shs0m in cash and dedicating Shs40m to the jersey.

The club, however, faced resistance from the Uganda Rugby Union. Kobs could not be allowed to wear the Guinness branded kits in a league sponsored by Nile Special, a competing brand.

Luggya and his EXCOM also highlighted the club’s engagement with the community through Outreach Programs like giving Support to Naguru community, medical camps and family meal sponsorship and Youth Development, carrying out Rugby clinics in schools like Namilyango College, Kings College Buddo, St. Mary’s College Kisubi.

The Club has now set its goal on winning the Rugby Championship and the National 7s as well as consolidating the Masters Invitational Tournament as a founding club.

Establishing Kobs as a regional force, securing financial stability and a home ground remain part of the club’s long-term goals.

KCB-Kobs

Last season performance

Rugby Championship: Fourth

National Sevens: Fourth

Uganda Cup: Fourth

Head Coach: Timothy Mudoola

Assistant coach: Keith Sseruyange