Black Pirates retained the Uganda Rugby Premiership title after defeating Buffaloes 30-29 in a thrilling final at Kings Park Arena on Saturday.
The victory earned Pirates their fourth Premiership title and a second straight championship, making them only the third club after Heathens and Kobs to successfully defend the league crown.
Notably, the Sea Robbers become the first side to defend the title under the current playoff format.
Pirates dominated the opening half, building a 25-13 lead. Nathan Bwambale scored twice, while Alex Aturinda and Frank Kidega added a try each.
William Nkore converted two tries and kicked a penalty to give the defending champions a 12-point halftime advantage.
Buffaloes responded strongly after the break. Yasin Waiswa kept them in contention with accurate penalty kicks before late tries reduced the deficit to a single point, setting up a tense finish.
However, Pirates withstood the late pressure to secure a dramatic one-point victory and complete back-to-back title-winning campaigns.
En route to the final, Pirates beat Heathens 36-30 on aggregate in the semifinals while Buffaloes elininated Impis in the other semifinal.
The defeat ends an impressive campaign for the Kyadondo side who were playing in their first Premiership final in 13 years, as the title remains elusive.
It’s a season of mixed emotions for Pirates who also reached the Enterprise Cup final before defeat to Kenya’s Kabras Sugar.
The side lost their player Sydney Gongodyo who passed away on June 5, 2026, after being brutally attacked by a mob in the Kampala suburb of Bukoto.
Pirates matchday squad:
Starters – Ariho Muhumuza, Nathan Bwambale, Ivan Kabagambe, Douglas Komakech, Frank Kidega (C), Desire Ayera, Alex Aturinda, Conrad Wanyama (VC), William Nkore, Roy Kizito, Eric Mula, Timothy Kisiga, Jeremiah Okello, Haruna Muhammad
Bench – Elijah Kantinti, Samuel Lubwama, John Brian Bwogi, John Paul Atim, Kelvin Balaggade, Moses Zziwa, Stephen Alul, Davis Shimwa, Humphrey Tashobya
Uganda Rugby Premiership champions by year:
| Year | Champions |
|---|---|
| 1990 | KOBs |
| 1991 | Heathens |
| 1992 | Heathens |
| 1993 | Heathens |
| 1994 | KRUF-KOBs/Heathens |
| 1995 | KOBs |
| 1996 | Impis |
| 1997 | KOBs |
| 1998 | KOBs |
| 1999 | KOBs |
| 2000 | KOBs |
| 2001 | KOBs |
| 2002 | Heathens |
| 2003 | KOBs |
| 2004 | Heathens |
| 2005 | Heathens |
| 2006 | KOBs |
| 2007 | KOBs |
| 2008 | KOBs |
| 2009 | Heathens |
| 2010 | Heathens |
| 2011 | Heathens |
| 2012 | Heathens |
| 2013 | Heathens |
| 2014 | KOBs |
| 2015 | Heathens |
| 2016 | KOBs |
| 2017 | Heathens |
| 2018 | Pirates |
| 2019 | Heathens |
| 2020 | Heathens |
| 2021 | KOBs |
| 2022 | Heathens |
| 2023 | Pirates |
| 2024 | Heathens |
| 2025 | Pirates |
| 2026 | Pirates |
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