Nile Leopards Rugby Club

Michael Wokorach 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

Four years ago today, in 2021, a dream came true, a dream carried on the backs of young girls who came from the rugged lands of Westnile, carrying nothing but fire in their hearts.

On that unforgettable day at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, the Nile Leopardess, the Rugby Beasts from across the West of the Nile, stepped onto the national stage for the very first time. They had no boots. No fancy jerseys. No sponsors behind them.

What they had was love.
What they had was hunger.
What they had was courage.

They walked onto the pitch barefooted, yet they played like giants. They shook the ground with every sprint. They moved the crowd with every tackle.

Uganda watched in awe as these fearless daughters of Westnile refused to bow to fear, refused to bow to history, refused to bow to the odds.

And against all expectations, they rose,
finishing 3rd overall in the Tier B National Tournament.

Out of the dust of Ediofe, from the corridors of St. Marys Ediofe Girls Secondary School, a 15-year-old lioness emerged, Olive Onyru.

Playing her first tournament ever on a National Rugby ground, she conquered the field and was crowned Most Valuable Player. At only fifteen. From barefoot to brilliance.

A story that still shakes the heart.

This was more than a tournament.

It was the beginning of a movement.

The beginning of belief.

The day Westnile stood tall and said “We are here. We are ready. And we are unstoppable.

Good evening Rugby stakeholders,

Welcome back from Madi Okollo, where our brother late Adigasi Ronald was laid to rest.

The Nile Leopards Rugby Club team reached back home safely.

Our sincere gratitude goes out to every rugby stakeholder who came to give our brother, the late Adigasi Ronald, a befitting send-off.

To those embarking on long journeys back to Kampala, Entebbe, Mbale, and other regions, we wish you safe travels.

May the good Lord who brought you to Madi Okollo also guide you safely back to your homes and workplaces.

Thank you, everyone, for your support.

Good evening, Friends of Rugby,

We are saddened to share that our brother, the late Adigasi Ronald, will be laid to rest tomorrow, Saturday, 1st November 2025, at his ancestral home in Madi Okollo.

The Nile Leopards Rugby Club management, Fans together with some players, will depart for the burial at 11:00am.

If there are other members travelling from Arua, let us coordinate and move as a team, or at least stay in touch so we can support each other in case of any challenges.

If you are available, kindly join us as we give our brother a respectful and heartfelt send-off.

The vehicle we are using is already full. However, if you are driving and have extra space, please let us know, some members may need a lift, and your support will be appreciated.

Those who can make it to Entebbe

🕊️ A TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND — ADIGASI RONALD 🕊️

With heavy hearts, we join the rest of the rugby fraternity and the world in celebrating the life of the legendary prop, former Rugby Cranes Captain, and Mongers player, the late Adigasi Ronald.

We received the sad news of his passing this morning with deep sorrow.

On 20th June 2025, when Nile Leopards Rugby Club launched the Arua Schools Rugby 7s Championship at Arua Primary School, we were honoured by a surprise visit from this great legend.

It was our first encounter with him, a memorable moment for the club’s management, players, and the schoolchildren participating in the tournament.

He was joyful, humble, and genuinely impressed by the work we were doing to grow the game in West Nile. He said he had come to Arua simply to reconnect with the people in the village, and he found it a great opportunity to meet us.

That day, he shared his vision of transferring core forward techniques to the Nile Leopards forwards. He spoke with urgency, saying, “Time is running out, I need to pass on these skills before age and energy fail me.”

He had planned to hold a session with our forwards that same day, but most of the players were exhausted after the tournament. He promised to return, but sadly, that was the last time we saw him. We did not know that our big brother had come to encourage us, thank us, and silently bid us farewell.

That day, we shared food from the same pot, laughed together, and played together on the Arua Primary School grounds.

Looking back, it was a beautiful and symbolic goodbye.

He mentioned a few names of fellow players who shared those techniques with him during his time at Entebbe Mongers, and Uganda Rugby Cranes, and we shall reach out to them to continue his legacy.

Our forwards will carry on the techniques and the teachings and forever remember his advice, guidance, and humility.

Rest in peace, Big Brother Adigasi Ronald.
You had us at heart.
You had Entebbe Mongers at heart.
You had Uganda Rugby Cranes at heart.

We have lost a legend, but your spirit, discipline, and love for the game will continue to inspire generations.

May your soul rest in eternal peace.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with your family, friends, and the entire rugby community.

Farewell, our Hero.
Farewell, Legend.
Farewell, Brother of the Nile Leopards Rugby Club

It is high time the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) took firm action to end player exploitation and discrimination. The actions of your staff are a direct reflection of you, the body entrusted with managing rugby in this country.

On 19th September 2024, you formally requested us to release our players for a trials tournament scheduled for Saturday, 21st September at 1:00 p.m. in Kyadondo. The aim was to select players for the Uganda Women’s 7s team to participate in the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s in Accra and the Safari 7s in Nairobi. We agreed and released the young players you requested.

You assured us that their transport from Arua to Kyadondo, and back, would be refunded upon arrival. The two girls reported as required and gave their best during the trials. However, they were sidelined, treated as second-class players, and only given bus fare from Arua Park (Kampala) to Arua, apparently assuming they would walk from Kyadondo to Arua Park. The promised refund was never paid. Instead, you claimed the funds were spent on juice for players and promised to send the refund via Mobile Money. To date, nothing has been received.

Our players felt the discrimination was extreme based on their youth and the fact that they came from Arua. In their own words, they believe they would have been treated better if “the person handling the funds had been their own.”

On 4th December 2024, you informed us the players had been selected for the 2025/2026 Lady Cranes 7s squad. One player declined to join, citing discrimination and selective welfare and would only join if she hears good news from her colleagues. The other, determined to persevere, joined training. During the start of training, It was stated that players would receive UGX 30,000 per session for nutrition and transport. Indeed, all other players were picking their moneys after every training sessions, and yet after six training sessions in two weeks, our player was given only UGX 40,000 and was silenced when she raised the issue. After two more unpaid sessions, she returned to Arua, vowing never to return.

Such discrimination is aimed at discouraging our players from progressing. We will not keep silent. Players deserve equal treatment, regardless of age, origin, or club. The national team belongs to Uganda, not to any individual or their family.

Dear National Team Manager, yes, this one goes to you. When a Nile Leopardess player makes it to the national team, it inspires others, fuels competition, and grows the game. But discrimination kills that spirit.

We say enough.

This and other issues have led us to protest and boycott Uganda Rugby Union league and other programs till further notice.

We are not fighting Uganda Rugby Union, We are fighting for fairness and dignity of our players and any other player who has been treated unfairly.

If you cannot hear us, the walls will bear witness to our message.

Dear Rugby stakeholders,

I hope this message finds you well.

I wish to inform you that, After four consistent seasons in the league, the two teams under Nile Leopards Rugby Club, that is Nile Leopardess (2024 Regional Womens Rugby 7s Champions) and Nile Leopards (4th place finalists), have officially withdrawn from the Uganda Rugby Union, organized regional league.

This is in protest of the continued marginalization of rugby development programs in the West Nile subregion.

A big thank you to Eng. Oscar Olaro, the then VP Technical of URU, for giving us the opportunity for a trial match at Dr. Obote College in 2021, which marked the turning point in our journey.

Special thanks also to Helen Buteme for her support in helping us become a fully established rugby club way back in 2021.

We see no reason to continue sacrificing our limited resources when there is clearly little to no interest from the Uganda Rugby Union in supporting grassroots rugby development in Westnile.

That said, Nile Leopards Rugby Club will continue to promote and grow rugby in the region and beyond borders, even without URU's support.

We wish all the teams competing in the Northern 7s Championship the very best.

Thank you,

Asiku Denis
President – Nile Leopards Rugby Club

Thank you for the publicity, much appreciated 👏

Niva Primary School is the winner of the Arua Schools Rugby 7s Tournament 2025! 🏆

Congratulations!

Surprising event at the 2025 Arua Schools Rugby 7s Tournament Final Circuits at Arua Primary School grounds! After showing great strength and determination, Jiako Primary School pulled off a stunning win in today’s circuit.

Three schools; Jiako Primary school, Niva Primary School, and Arua Primary School the Host, battled it out across three exciting circuits. Each school won at least one circuit, finished second in another, and also came last in one. They all ended up with the same total points, yes, it was that close, 58 points a piece! In the end, it was the point difference that made the final call.

Huge congratulations to Niva Primary School for emerging as the overall champions of the Arua Schools Rugby 7s Tournament 2025! 🏆 What a thrilling tournament!

Congratulations to Jiako Primary school for emerging the second and defending Champions Arua Primary school who came in the third position.

You are all Champions because you competed in this prestigious and historic second ever Arua Schools Rugby 7s Tournament in history.

The Final Tournament Table

1. Niva Primary School 58, +17 point difference
2. Jiako Primary School 58, -5 point difference
3. Arua Primary School 58, -7 point difference

To all the Nile Leopards Rugby Club fraternity, Administrators, Players, Medical team and partners, thank you.

Thank you to the school Administration of Arua Primary school for hosting the whole Tournament of 3 circuits.

Thank you.