The race for promotion to the 2026 Nile Special Rugby Premiership heats up this weekend as Impis host Kakira Simbas in a high-stakes clash on Saturday, May 31, at Makerere University Rugby Grounds.
The game, which kicks off at 4:00 PM, will be broadcast live on NBS Sport, offering fans across the country front-row access to a pivotal moment in Uganda’s rugby calendar.
The match marks the second week of the ongoing 2025 Nile Special Rugby Premiership Promotional Playoffs, a fiercely contested round-robin tournament featuring four regional champions: Impis (Central), Kakira Simbas (Eastern), Gulu City Falcons (Northern), and KIU Crows (Western).
With only two promotion spots up for grabs, the competition has already delivered compelling storylines and intense battles.
Impis enter the match brimming with confidence after a commanding 38-16 away victory over KIU Crows last weekend in Bushenyi.
The Central Region representatives, who are seeking a swift return to the top tier following their relegation in 2024, showed clinical execution and superior fitness in their opener.
Playing at home; The Graveyard this weekend, Impis will look to harness the energy of their Makerere-based crowd as they aim to take a major step toward redemption.
Kakira Simbas, on the other hand, come into the fixture with momentum of their own, having edged Gulu City Falcons 17-09 in their opening match at home in Kakira.
The Eastern Region champions demonstrated solid defensive organisation and sharp attacking phases, signaling their readiness to compete for a Premiership slot.
The stakes are enormous, as whichever team emerges victorious at Makerere will have one foot in next year’s top-flight league.
Meanwhile, in the other playoff fixture of the day, Gulu City Falcons will host KIU Crows in Gulu, with both sides desperate to bounce back from opening day defeats.
A loss for either team would all but end their Premiership dreams, adding further intensity to an already competitive tournament.
The three-week playoff series, which runs until June 7, is part of Uganda Rugby Union’s ongoing efforts to deepen grassroots development and regional competition.
With matches spread across Bushenyi, Kakira, Gulu, and Makerere, the initiative ensures equal opportunity and exposure for clubs across the country.
As URU Communications Officer Shafic Kiyaga reiterated, “The Union remains committed to supporting grassroots development and regional competition structures, which are vital for expanding player numbers and strengthening the future of Ugandan rugby.”
