Toyota Buffaloes scrum-half Hussein Shein is preparing for the biggest match of his young rugby career after helping guide the club to the 2026 Uganda Rugby Premiership final, completing a remarkable journey that was once threatened by the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 20-year-old has emerged as one of Uganda’s most promising young scrum-halves while balancing life away from the pitch as a coach at Kyadondo Rugby Academy and a Bachelor of Science in Networking and Cybersecurity student at ISBAT University.
His path to the top level of Ugandan rugby has been anything but straightforward.
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought sporting activities to a halt, Shein found himself unable to make regular trips from Kyengera to Kyadondo. With rugby becoming difficult to access during the lockdown period, he temporarily switched his focus to football.
Although football occupied much of his attention during that time, rugby remained close to his heart.
His return to the sport came after completing high school. Several of his friends had joined Toyota Buffaloes, while his former school coach Charles Onen had taken charge of the club. Shein began attending training sessions before eventually deciding to commit fully to rugby following a setback in football.
That decision would prove pivotal.
Now regarded as one of the country’s brightest young talents in his position, Shein says the recognition brings both motivation and responsibility. He credits the support of his teammates for helping accelerate his development.
His growth has also been shaped by a number of influential figures, including coaches Andrew Owor, Charles Onen and Arthur Ngolobe, better known as Kapale. Former players Rasul Abiriga and Matthew Musasizi have also played important mentoring roles during his journey.
Shein reserved special praise for a family member who has stood by him throughout his rugby career.
“A special mention to my uncle has been my rock throughout my rugby career, supporting me through every high and low,” Shein said in an interview with Uganda Rugby. “Words can’t truly express my gratitude for his unwavering presence.”
Another major milestone came through representing Uganda’s Under-20 national team, the Rising Stars. The experience exposed him to a higher level of competition and helped prepare him for the physical and tactical demands of senior rugby.
Those lessons have helped him become an important figure in Toyota Buffaloes’ resurgence.
The club’s qualification for the 2026 Premiership final marks its return to the championship decider after almost 13 years. For Shein, the achievement carries extra significance after the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on a place in last season’s final.
Instead of dwelling on that disappointment, Buffaloes used it as motivation throughout the campaign.
Shein believes the squad’s unity and belief in one another have been key factors behind their impressive run to the title showdown.
Despite his rapid rise, the young scrum-half remains focused on improving his game management and vision. He looks up to Aaron Ofoyrwoth on the local scene, while England international Alex Mitchell and Bath Rugby’s Ben Spencer are among the players he studies closely.
Looking ahead, Shein’s long-term ambition is to represent Uganda at senior national team level. In the immediate future, however, his attention is firmly fixed on helping Toyota Buffaloes complete their resurgence with a Premiership title.
For aspiring young players hoping to follow a similar path, his message is simple: stay disciplined, trust the process and never stop learning.
From a pandemic-enforced break from rugby to the brink of a Premiership crown, Shein’s story has become one of resilience, patience and determination, qualities that continue to define one of Ugandan rugby’s most exciting young prospects.
