KCB KOBs Finish Trophy Wait in Type, Carry Kyabazinga 7s Crown
David GOMBE
KCB KOBs have lastly acquired their arms on gold. After coming agonisingly shut in earlier stops of the 2026 Uganda Rugby 7s Sequence, the Blue Military turned persistence into silverware on Sunday, overcoming Rams RFC 22–19 in an exciting Kyabazinga 7s closing at Bugembe Stadium in Jinja.
The victory marks KCB KOBs’ first match triumph of the 2026 Uganda Rugby 7s Sequence, and couldn’t have come at a extra essential level of their marketing campaign, with just one cease remaining. Extra importantly, it was the style of the victory that despatched a message.
KCB KOBs didn’t lose a single sport all through the two-day match, ending the weekend with 127 factors scored and solely 72 conceded throughout six matches, a commanding show of attacking firepower and defensive resilience.
The highway to the trophy, nonetheless, was something however simple. The crew opened their marketing campaign on Saturday in Pool C with a 17–10 victory over Rams RFC, earlier than beating Mbale Elephants 31–21. They accomplished the pool stage with a 19–10 win over Plascon Mongers, ending unbeaten and reserving their place within the knockout phases.
They then returned on Sunday with the identical depth and dismantled Plascon Mongers 26–7 within the quarterfinal, earlier than edging Stanbic Black Pirates 12–5 in a tense semifinal, organising a repeat assembly with Rams RFC within the title decider. The ultimate proved to be the sternest check of the weekend.
Rams got here out firing and put KCB KOBs underneath instant stress, taking their probabilities early to determine a 12–5 half-time lead. However moderately than buckle, the boys dug deep, absorbed the stress and got here roaring again after the break.
Brian Wandera and Shafik Okole crossed for tries, earlier than Josiah Ssempeke and Rasul Abiriga added additional scores as KCB KOBs turned up the attacking stress. Rams mounted a late response, however the Blue Military held their composure and form to shut out a dramatic 22–19 victory and declare the Kyabazinga 7s crown.
Noela Byuma, Head of Advertising and Communications at KCB Financial institution Uganda, congratulated the crew on the breakthrough victory, noting that the triumph displays the values that proceed to drive each the membership and its partnership with KCB Financial institution Uganda.
“This victory is a strong reminder that success is commonly constructed via persistence. KCB KOBs have continued to point out up, compete, and push themselves even when the outcomes didn’t instantly go their approach, and this trophy is a reward for that resilience. We’re proud to face with them and have a good time this essential milestone. At KCB Financial institution Uganda, we consider in supporting platforms that nurture expertise, construct confidence, and provides younger individuals the chance to excel. This win is a celebration for everybody who believes within the energy of sport to encourage and remodel lives.”
The win has additionally considerably strengthened the crew’s place within the race for the 2026 Uganda Rugby 7s Sequence title. The facet entered the Kyabazinga 7s in fourth place with 60 collection factors. Their match victory earned them 22 extra factors, taking their tally to 82 factors with one cease remaining.
For KOBs captain Josiah Ssempeke, it’s the starting of one thing larger. “It feels nice to win the Kyabazinga 7s after having close to misses within the earlier stops. It’s going to be a stepping stone for us usually to get again to combating for Gold in each 7s and 15s. We’ll preserve the identical focus going into the final cease and hope for the most effective.”
KOBs 7s Coach Trevor Tusiime believes the victory is the results of a system that has been steadily constructing all through the season.
“We’ve been knocking on the door for fairly some time. I feel the squad has been performing tremendously properly over the stops, with progress in each circuit no matter who’s enjoying and who isn’t. I’m not shocked we’re profitable it at this stage; moderately, the system was not constructed for instant glory however to stay for years of future 7s success no matter who’s enjoying. This victory will push a sure constructive vitality shifting ahead; one would name it KCB KOBs again.”
Consideration now shifts to the Kabaka Coronation 7s, the Grand Finale of the Uganda Rugby 7s Sequence, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at Mutesa II Royal Stadium, Wankulukuku.
With the Uganda Cup season additionally on the horizon, KCB KOBs might be trying to carry the momentum from Jinja into the subsequent chapter of their marketing campaign. After spending a lot of the season knocking on the door, the Blue Military have lastly damaged via. They’ve their trophy. Now, the actual query is: can they flip this breakthrough right into a championship run?
