Kyadondo Rugby Club’s tried-and-tested development structure continues to produce top-tier talent, with Malcolm Okello being the latest to carry the club’s banner to the senior national team.
Okello, who started his rugby journey with Kyadondo’s youth teams in 2007, has become a central figure in Ugandan rugby.
His impressive performances for Platinum Credit Heathens earned him the Rugby Player of the Month award in May 2024, recognizing his role in securing a record-extending championship in the Nile Special Rugby Premiership.
Kyadondo’s system, which moves players from the Tigers to Stallions before they graduate to the senior clubs, Buffaloes or Heathens, has shaped Okello’s career.
“It is an honour to represent the country,” said Okello, reflecting on his national team call-up. “The journey has been tough, but my love for the game makes it easier to manage.”
Coach Tolbert Onyango, Head Coach of the Rugby Cranes Sevens, believes Okello’s call-up is just the beginning.
“He is a great prospect,” Onyango remarked, pointing out Okello’s technical abilities and versatility. “We are excited to see how he develops, especially with an eye on the 2026 Olympics.”
Kyadondo’s grassroots coach, Coach Sky, also expressed immense pride in seeing Okello succeed.
“This call-up is very special to me as a coach who has seen him grow,” Sky said, emphasizing how Okello’s hard work and joyful spirit have been key to his progress.
With this national team opportunity, Okello is poised to take the next step in his career, continuing to build on the legacy of Kyadondo Rugby Club’s commitment to developing exceptional talent.
