Since the turn of the 2020s decade (post-COVID era), Platinum Credit Heathens have been the undisputed champions of the men’s Rugby Uganda Cup. Two finals played, two trophies won.
But now, after suffering defeat in the 2025 final at the Mandela National Stadium Namboole, their reign is over.
Stanbic Black Pirates are the new champions; crowned after beating Heathens by 19-08 points on Saturday evening.
It started as a chess game with teams exploiting each other’s weaknesses — Heathens’ kickers using the spiral bomb kicks and Pirates’ front row dominating the scrums.
Nobert Okeny touched down in the corner five minutes in from a well-worked move (conversion missed by Joseph Oyet) as the defending champions got off to a flying start.
Ten minutes later, eventual man of the match William Nkore opened the Sea Robbers’ account with a penalty before captain Isaac Massanganzira crashed over at the half-hour mark.
Pirates led by 10-05 at halftime but it was still a balanced contest up until that point.
However, after the break, the chess game turned into a martial arts fight. Pirates’ defence repelled Heathens’ relentless attack, and their attack sprang to life as the fruits of their conditioning began to be reaped at the expense of Heathens.
No tries were scored in the second half but the kickers earned their dues. Heathens slotted one penalty through youngster Marvin Asaba but Pirates sailed away with Nkore’s three.
It ended 19-08, effectively confirming Pirates’ status as the sole XVs champions of the country. They now hold both the Premiership and Uganda Cup trophies.
For Heathens, it is a season they will wish to forget quickly as they’ve relinquished all three of their titles in one year.
List of Past Winners:
1 1999 Heathens
2 2000 Heathens
3 2001 Heathens
4 2002 Heathens
5 2003 Heathens
6 2004 Heathens
7 2005 Kobs
8 2006 Kobs
9 2007 Pirates
10 2008 Kobs
11 2009 Heathens
12 2010 Kobs
13 2011 Kobs
14 2012 Kobs
15 2013 Heathens
16 2014 Heathens
17 2015 Heathens
18 2016 Heathens
19 2017 Pirates
20 2018 Kobs
21 2019 Kobs
– 2020 X
– 2021 X
22 2022 Heathens
23 2023 Heathens
– 2024 X
24 2025 Pirates
