Uganda Cup: 2026 Format Explained

The Uganda Cup has adopted a new format for the 2026 edition to be played with a preliminary round followed by a knockout stage.

The change follows consultative meetings held between club leaders and Uganda Rugby’s technical arm, where it was agreed that the previous format put immense financial and physical strain on teams.

The now abandoned format was adopted in 2023 with a pool phase of 20 men’s teams divided into 4 groups and 8 women’s teams divided into 2 groups. There were early red flags with this format, with the 2024 edition not being held. It returned in 2025 for its second edition but was marred by walkers and withdrawals from the tournament.

In the new format, all the 26 teams that were lined up to participate will still compete, but they shall play in a tiered system.

In the men’s category, last year’s quarterfinalists, apart from Rams RFC who have a poor ranking, and Rhinos who will entirely not participate, have automatically booked a slot in the Round of 16.

2025 champions Black Pirates, Heathens, KOBs and Buffaloes will have to wait for their respective opponents to qualify from the preliminary round.

The Preliminary Round (Round of 32) is for the lower-ranked sides from the respective regions of Uganda. Better-ranked regional sides like the KIU Crows and newly promoted Storm Rugby automatically find themselves in the Round of 16, unlike other sides like the Fort Portal Tyrants and Gulu City Falcons.

From the Round of 16, the Uganda Cup shall proceed with the usual knockout system.

In the women’s category, Uganda Cup champions Nile Rapids and Premiership winners Thunderbirds are automatically through to the semifinal stage.

Last year’s finalists are a no-show in this year’s edition, which leaves the Nile Rapids to wait for the winner between the Mbale Eagles and the Ewes.

The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, will face either the Kigezi Queens or the Panthers in the semifinal.

This creates a possible maximum of 3 games a team can play in the women’s category, hence curbing walkovers and strain on the teams.

The Uganda Cup shall run from October 24 to November 28, 2026.

Womens Fixtures

• Semifinal 1 – Thunderbirds Vs Kigezi Queens/Panthers
• Semifinal 2 – Nile Rapids Vs Mbale Eagles/Ewes

Men’s Round of 16 Fixtures

• Black Pirates Vs Fort Portal Tyrants/Mbale Elephants
• Heathens Vs Kigezi Silverbacks/Rams RFC
• Buffaloes Vs Entebbe Jaguars/Kitgum Lions
• KOBs Vs Gulu City Falcons/Mukono Hawks
• Kakira Simbas Vs Walukuba Barbarians
• Storm Vs Mongers
• Jinja Hippos Vs Hima Impis
• KIU Crows Vs Victoria Sharks

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