Kings College Budo last won the Under-20 Uganda Rugby (Central Region) Schools League title fifteen years ago in 2010.
When they made their most recent cup final appearance— against Namilyango in 2017, the current team were yet to even sit their Primary Leaving Examinations.
Although Budo won other schools trophies in this time, it was a long wait for the historic school to add another all-important seniors Under-20 trophy to their rich cabinet.
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Makerere University’s ‘The Graveyard’ Rugby Grounds, Kings College Budo beat Namilyango College to lift their sixth title.
They won the match by a commanding 29-17 (halftime 07-05) score.
Namilyango, the defending champions, struck first through scrumhalf Arthur Kato Dhamutudha in the thirteenth minute. The Anchors, as they are known by their passionate fans, applied pressure but Budo’s defence held tight.
Five minutes to halftime, Budo got their first score through flyhalf Arthur Lukoda who also converted successfully to make it 07-05 at the break.
The Budo Red Lions took control of proceedings in the second half and quickly stretched their lead to 26-05 within ten minutes. Caleb Nimaro and Calvin Mubiru (2) touched down and Lukoda converted twice.
Namilyango fought back and Joshua Wakooli scored to make it 26-12 with the conversion by Deogratious Mawa Andruale just before the hour mark. But Budo took it out of their reach with a Lukoda penalty with ten minutes left to play.
Namilyango could only get a consolation try in the last play by Wakooli as they relinquished the title to historical archrivals Budo.
Both teams played an entertaining match in front of their schoolmates, parents, teachers and old boys, and fans of Ugandan rugby who braved the early morning downpour and filled the stands.
Other Finals Winners:
Namilyango College beat St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) in both the Under-15 and Under-17 categories.
• U-15: Namilyango 15-11 SMACK
• U-17: Namilyango 26-07 SMACK
Airforce Army SS, having won the boys second division title, added a girls title to their collection.
• Girls: Airforce Army SS 22-00 Mpungwe SS
This was the maiden girls tournament in the rugby schools league history.
