Black Pirates have been crowned the 2025 Uganda Rugby Premiership champions after a dramatic 44-23 extra-time victory over Jinja Hippos in Saturday’s historic final at Kings Park Arena.
FRESH FINALISTS CLASH
The 2025 final was a landmark occasion being the first-ever Uganda Rugby Premiership XVs final not to feature either Heathens or KCB KOBs, who between them have won a combined thirty titles across thirty-four seasons.
Pirates were chasing their third championship, while Hippos were hunting for a maiden crown in their young eleven-year history.
The match was tightly contested in regular time, ending 23-23 after 80 minutes, before Pirates pulled away decisively in the additional 30 minutes to secure their third Premiership title.
PIRATES STRONG START
Pirates started strongly, taking early points through a William Nkore penalty. However, Hippos responded quickly with the game’s first try, converted by Yasin Wasswa, to edge ahead 7-3.
Haruna Muhammad, making his 100th appearance for Pirates, restored the home side’s lead with a brilliant try, which Nkore successfully converted to make it 10-7. Nkore added a penalty soon after, stretching Pirates’ advantage to 13-7.
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Hippos refused to back down, and Terry Okore crossed over for a try, with Wasswa adding the extras to send the Hippos into halftime with a narrow 14-13 lead.
The second half saw Pirates regain momentum. Conrad Wanyama scored a vital try to push Pirates ahead 18-14, but Hippos’ Yasin Wasswa showcased his accuracy with back-to-back penalties, moving Hippos 20-18 ahead, then extending it to 23-18 with another well-taken kick.
Pirates leveled the match late on through Ivan Magomu, although he missed a close-range conversion that could have given Pirates a late win. At full time, the scores stood at 23-23, forcing the final into extra time.
PIRATES EXTRA TIME TRIUMPH
In extra time, Pirates found an extra gear. Timothy Kisiga scored the breakthrough try, converted by Magomu, giving Pirates a 30-23 advantage. Moments later, Jones Kamiza added another try, and Magomu once again delivered the conversion to stretch the lead to 37-23.
Haruna Muhammad then sealed his fairy-tale day with a second try, and Magomu’s flawless kicking continued to pile on the points. Pirates ran out 44-23 winners after extra time, delighting the home crowd and clinching their third Uganda Rugby Premiership title.
