Once upon a time in Uganda, there was a Jinja-based rugby club called Nile. Nile Rugby Club competed in regional and national tournaments and battled fiercely with the best of the best in the country.

Then, in 2024, irreconcilable differences like those of the legend of Gipir and Labong forced Nile to split into two separate clubs. Hippos stayed at the leafy Jinja Golf Club and made home at Damwaters Rugby Club while Walukuba Barbarians trekked to the Masese Landing Site and settled at Abel Dhaira Memorial Stadium.

Walukuba took some years to get on their feet but Hippos hit the ground running. As time has passed, both have grown to be competitive rugby clubs in Uganda — like Nile from which they formed — and have won major tournaments. Jinja Hippos were 2022 National 7s Series champions while Walukuba clinched the 2023 Tororo 7s against all odds.

When the two teams meet, it is not just any premiership match. It is a fierce derby that electrifies the entire rugby community and local sports enthusiasts in Jinja City.

However, Hippos have dominated Walukuba in the Jinja Derby. From six meetings since both became top flight teams in the 2018-19 season, Hippos have been victorious five times. Walukuba’s only victory over Hippos was in 2019.

Previous Meetings Record between Hippos and Walukuba:

But Walukuba have closed the gap between Hippos and the latter have had to work harder to maintain their upper hand. The most recent meeting in the inaugural Masters Challenge played in December 2024 was just a one-point margin.

The Jinja Derby at Damwaters will headline Round Four of the 2025 men’s Uganda Rugby Premiership this Saturday. Both Hippos and Walukuba have braced themselves for a titanic clash.

Hippos captain Fahad Maido said, “We are very prepared for the game. We were able to rectify all our problems and things that needed to be corrected. We have come up with all the solutions to make the game simpler for us, not Walukuba.”

Hippos have been flawless in the men’s Uganda Rugby Premiership so far, winning three out of three matches played and bagging one bonus point. They are currently in third place (13 points) behind last season’s finalists Heathens and Pirates.

Walukuba on the other hand are yet to get a positive result this season. They lost their first two matches and squandered a victory against Buffaloes in the third. They are currently out of the Playoffs positions in ninth place with just two points.

“I think we just need to keep the tempo, and also work on a few things. Hippos has got a very good tight five but we are going to match it. That’s one of the things we want to work around. But also, keep focus on the open-play functional roles,” head coach Leonard Lubambula said.

However, all said and done, statistical trends and recent performances do not usually matter much during derbies. Walukuba Barbarians and Jinja Hippos will play for more than just points come Saturday.

Full Round Four Fixtures (all kick off times local time – EAT):

• 2 p.m. – Legends: Warriors v Victoria Sharks
• 4 p.m. – Damwaters: Jinja Hippos v Walukuba Barbarians
• 4 p.m. – Kitante: Kampani’s Eagles v Elgon Wolves
• 4 p.m. – Entebbe: Plascon Mongers v Stanbic Black Pirates
• 4 p.m. – Legends: Rhinos v Platinum Credit Heathens
• 4 p.m. – Kyadondo: Toyota Buffaloes v KCB KOBs

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