The 2025 Uganda Rugby Premiership has produced some phenomenal games and at the heart of these thrillers were some loyal servants and new additions to the respective clubs.
The cancellation of the 2024/25 Uganda Cup meant that the transfer deadline day was extended into January 2025, giving teams more time to lock in their desired players. This did not go down without any drama. One player who features on this list wrote a goodbye message which he later deleted, then he was named club captain, only to later be scooped up by another team, leading to a second farewell letter.
I have compiled a shortlist of the Top 5 players out of the 84 transfers confirmed by the Uganda Rugby Union that we think have so far stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Andrew Odhiambo
While at Jinja Hippos, Odhiambo was a revelation. The self-styled starboy is a master at the line out and a rock in defence, attributes that caught the eyes of the scouts at KOBs. He spent two solid seasons at Hippos, having joined from the Western Bulls in the Kenya Championship, and his move to Kampala has so far been fruitful. Being a rugby 7s maestro is an added advantage and shall come in handy in the shorter variation of the game.
Ariho Muhumuza
Big Baker, as he’s fondly referred to, has reinforced the Pirates front row in the prop position. The player who started out at Lock has grown comfortable at tighthead and is now a scrum force to be reckoned with. Known for his ball-carrying prowess, he has added to the long list of heavy hitters like Frank Kidega and John Paul Atim that are already within the ranks at Bweyogerere. He has followed in the footsteps of the legendary Edgar Pajob, who made his mark at the graveyard before moving on to the pirate ship.
Kennedy Muhumuza
Another Impis man who has made an immediate impact is Kennedy Muhumuza. The outside center has enjoyed a stellar debut season in his preferred 13 position, replacing Ivan Odhiambo who was first, away with injury, then pushed to the pack. Alongside Liam Walker, the Buffaloes’ center pairing has been an integral part of how the Buffaloes have played this season, even causing a first-leg upset in the play-off quarterfinals against the Kobs. His strength is defending and making that decisive pass in attack.
Eliphaz Emong
By now, everyone knows what Eliphaz Emong brings to the team. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he has hit the ground running at Bweyogerere. He joins the likes of Sydney Gongodyo, Frank Kidega, and Humphrey Tashobya as the most consistent forwards to feature for the Pirates this season. Every Ugandan rugby fan hopes this form translates to the national team come the Rugby Africa Cup in July.
Israel Makokha
In the Victoria Sharks assemble that has challenged but only gone so far, a boy from Kakira RFC has been the standout. Israel Makokha has been deployed as a center in some games but he found his footing at flyhalf where he has been orchestrating the Sharks attacks and slotting in the penalties and conversions for the university side. For a player who is only in his first top-flight season, he is definitely one to watch for the future.
Honourable mentions: Saul Kivumbi, Daniel Ebau and Wilobo Mukili have been a reliable front row for the Sharks, while Moses Olweny and David Bajjananseko have also been solid for the Buffaloes. Terry Okore is doing a fairly good job of filling in the shoes left by Andrew Odhiambo on the Hippos’ flank.
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