Mohammad Athiyo has left his role as head coach of the Platinum Credit Heathens Rugby Football Club.
Athiyo, a former Heathens player, switched to coaching in 2016 and was just one year short of marking a decade in charge of the most successful rugby club in Uganda.
Our HEAD COACH @AthiyoN calls it a wrap. 👋
It has been such an incredibly amazing journey with you, Coach Athiyo, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔 – 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. 🤝🏿
✅️ 2 Unbeaten seasons.
✅️ 1 Treble.
✅️ 5 League titles.
✅️ 3 Uganda Cups.
✅️ 1 Sevens champions.Forever Heathens.… pic.twitter.com/OG6BR7lyzU
— HEATHENS RUGBY CLUB (@HeathensRFC) May 7, 2025
This is a success to which he contributed significantly.
With Athiyo in charge, Heathens won five XVs league/championship/premiership titles, three Uganda Cups and one sevens series.
He oversaw two unbeaten seasons but the cherry on the ice cake was the solitary treble in the 2023-24 season last year.
Athiyo oversaw three generations of players at the Kyadondo based club, but the transition was so seamless that Heathens remained a legitimate title contender.
Heathens’ lowest finish was fifth during the 2017-18 league season, a year after Athiyo took the reins.
He departs after an extended period in which Heathens fans and loyalists were debating whether his time had run out.
This season saw Heathens fall from sweeping the 2024 season with four trophies— including the end of year Masters Challenge; to losing three successive matches for the first time in a decade. Although Heathens rescued their season in time to finish top four in the regular season, their title defence ended in the playoffs semifinals.
Athiyo’s final match in charge was a 25-19 semifinal defeat against rivals Black Pirates.
What Next for Heathens?
Heathens is not short of coaches to take over from Athiyo. His technical bench had S&C coach Allan Otim, forwards coach Alex Mubiru, age-grade coach Peter ‘Sky’ Ochol, and recently Emmanuel Katuntu.
Media reports have also intimated that Uganda Men’s 7s head coach Tolbert Onyango could be returning to active duty at the club.
