In one of the most thrilling and memorable upsets in modern Ugandan rugby history, Rams RFC brought an end to a painful decade-long championship drought by capturing the 2026 Kyadondo 7s title. Playing in front of a packed and vocal crowd at the iconic Kyadondo Rugby Grounds in Kampala, Rams overcame hosts and traditional heavyweights Platinum Credit Heathens with a resolute 12–10 victory in a nail-biting final.

An Unbeaten March to Historic Glory

Rams entered the Kyadondo circuit—the third stop of the six-leg 2026 Nile Special National 7s Series—with determination and tactical discipline. Across two grueling days of competition under the Kampala sun, the Makerere-affiliated outfit remained completely undefeated. Their pool campaign included an impressive stalemate against the Stanbic Black Pirates, which set the tone for an explosive Sunday knockout surge.

In the quarterfinals, Rams demonstrated clinical execution by dispatching Stone City 7s champions Walukuba Barbarians 22–14, before pulling off a resounding 19–5 semifinal victory against defending series champions Stanbic Black Pirates. In the final against Heathens, Rams stood firm against wave after wave of attacking pressure in the dying minutes, preserving their two-point lead until the final whistle triggered euphoric celebrations across the pitch.

"This victory is a testament to years of sacrifice, discipline, and belief from every player and member of our coaching unit," declared an emotional Rams technical team following the trophy presentation. "To come to Kyadondo and beat both Pirates and Heathens on the same afternoon proves that Rams are ready to challenge the established order in Ugandan rugby."

Yusuf Ssemakula Crowned Circuit MVP

The standout performer of the entire weekend was Rams’ midfield dynamo Yusuf Ssemakula, who was deservedly awarded the Men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) accolade. Ssemakula dictated the tempo in both offense and defense, scoring crucial tries, delivering bone-crunching cover tackles, and orchestrating territorial kicking that starved opponents of possession in critical zones.

His second-half try against Heathens in the final—where he gathered a loose ball inside his own half and outpaced three defenders along the touchline—proved to be the decisive moment of the championship match. Ssemakula's leadership and tactical awareness under heavy pressure earned widespread acclaim from tournament spectators and national team selectors alike.

Thunderbirds Dethrone Nile Rapids in Women's Category

The women’s division witnessed its own dramatic shift in momentum as Thunderbirds claimed their first circuit title of the 2026 campaign. Thunderbirds dominated the final, defeating a spirited She Wolves side 24–7. Thunderbirds star Gertrude Kateesa took home the Women’s MVP trophy after an extraordinary display of speed, visionary passing, and defensive grit, snapping the early winning streak established by Nile Rapids in Jinja and Kampala.

The women's competition showcased rapid tactical development and intense physical conditioning, reflecting the Uganda Rugby Union’s dedicated investment in women’s grassroots rugby and elite high-performance pathways.

Tournament Results & Standings Summary

  • Men's Cup Final: Rams RFC 12–10 Platinum Credit Heathens
  • Men's Cup Semifinal 1: Rams RFC 19–5 Stanbic Black Pirates
  • Men's Cup Semifinal 2: Platinum Credit Heathens 21–14 Jinja Hippos
  • Men's MVP: Yusuf Ssemakula (Rams RFC)
  • Women's Cup Final: Thunderbirds 24–7 She Wolves
  • Women's MVP: Gertrude Kateesa (Thunderbirds)
  • Next Stop: Lawii Rwodi 7s (Gulu City, August 29–30, 2026)

Nile Special 7s Series Heads North to Gulu

With three different men's winners across the first three circuits—Walukuba Barbarians at the Stone City 7s, Stanbic Black Pirates at the Rujumba 7s, and now Rams RFC at Kyadondo—the 2026 Nile Special National 7s Series has developed into the most open and competitive championship race in recent memory. Teams now turn their full attention to the fourth stop, the Lawii Rwodi 7s in Gulu City on August 29–30, where vital overall series points will be on the line in Northern Uganda.