David GOMBE
KCB KOBS Rugby Football Club, one of Uganda’s most iconic rugby clubs, successfully held its 2024 Annual General Meeting at Kati Kati Restaurant and Bar, Lugogo.
The meeting, presided over by Club Chairman Dr. Luggya Tonny Stone, provided a comprehensive review of the past season and laid out the club’s vision for the future ahead of the election year.
Performance Recap
While the club faced challenges in achieving its season targets, there were commendable milestones:
– National 7s Series: Finished 4th overall, including a victory in the Mbarara 7s.
– Uganda Cup: Reached the semi-finals after a strong performance in group games and a quarter-final win against Black Pirates.
-National Rugby League: Secured a 4th-place finish in the league’s new format, winning 7 out of 11 games, before being eliminated in the semi-finals by Heathens RFC.
Brand Visibility and Sponsorship Success
KCB KOBS rebranded in 2023-2024, securing a new title sponsorship deal with KCB Bank Uganda worth UGX 195 million, UGX 50 million of which was allocated to kit procurement. This partnership was complemented by a deal with Guinness, which provided UGX 50 million in cash and UGX 40 million in kits.
The club also forged a partnership with NRG Radio, enhancing media visibility and maintaining an active social media presence on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
These efforts positioned KCB KOBS as the first rugby club in the region to secure two corporate sponsors, thanks to the diligent work of the Executive Committee (EXCOM).
Community Engagement
KCB KOBS demonstrated its commitment to giving back through impactful outreach programs:
– Supported the Naguru community with medical camps and family meal sponsorships.
– Conducted rugby clinics in schools like Namilyango, Buddo, and SMACK.
– Organized the “Prep & Play” holiday boot camp to inspire the next generation of rugby players.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Despite successes, the club faced several challenges:
– Sponsorship conflicts between Nile Special and Guinness delayed kit usage.
– Financial delays disrupted operations.
– Key player injuries affected on-field performance.
Future Vision
Short-Term Goals:
– Win the Rugby Championship and National 7s Series.
– Consolidate the Masters Invitational Tournament.
Long-Term Vision:
– Establish KCB KOBS RFC as a regional rugby powerhouse.
– Secure financial stability and home facilities, including a stadium.
– Explore sponsorship opportunities in health, technology, and sports equipment.
The club aims to extend its partnership with KCB Bank Uganda to a UGX 200 million deal over two to three years while pursuing other sponsorships to bolster performance and infrastructure development.
Words from the Chairman Dr. Luggya Tonny Stone acknowledged the challenges faced in recent seasons but expressed optimism about the club’s future:
“We as KCB KOBS have gone back to the drawing board, determined to end our drought of trophies since 2019. With new leadership from Head Coach Timothy Mudoola and Assistant Coach Keith Sseruyange, we aim to dominate both the games and the scoreboards this season.”
He further encouraged fans to rally behind the team:
“We call upon all our fans to come enjoy poetry in motion, support the boys in every game and training session, and make every weekend a celebration.”
