When Hippos beat Walukuba in the Jinja Rugby Derby on the first weekend of February, Hippos’ coach Edmond Quaresma, in his post-match interview with Kawowo Sports at Damwaters Rugby Club said, “It (Damwaters) is a fortress and as far as we are standing here, it’s going to continue to be. I don’t know when we last lost here but we’ll go check the records.”

Kawowo Sports consulted, checked the records and found that Hippos last lost at home on March 18, 2023. By 29-14 points against KOBs in the then-men’s Nile Special Rugby Premier League.

Since then, one hundred weeks and counting, Hippos have gone on a thirteen-match unbeaten streak at home. They have won twelve and drawn just one.

Damwaters is a rugby fortress. In every sense of the word. But every year, times come when they have to defend that fortress and maintain its status among the most hostile places to get an away win in Ugandan club rugby.

The toughest test, thus far in 2025, is coming in the final weekend of February. Barely four weeks after coach Quaresma’s comments.

• 2025 men’s Uganda Rugby Premiership – Round 6
• 4 p.m. EAT – Damwaters: Jinja Hippos v Heathens

Premiership defending champions Platinum Credit Heathens are wounded, having lost their most recent match against another title challenger Pirates at Kings Park. They are also highly motivated to get back to winning ways with immediate effect.

“This is our fifth game and with every game we expect momentum to build in the team. We expect to get better. We expect to be a little bit more cerebral in how we perfect our moves and our plays. And that is more or less one of the disappointments our technical team and the players have taken,” Heathens coach Mohammed Athio said at Kings Park two weeks ago.

It is difficult to recall when Heathens last lost two (away) matches in succession. Kawowo Sports will consult, check the records, and share what we find. But it is as clear as daylight that Heathens do not want to have more chinks in their shiny armour. An irresistible force is going to meet an immovable object.

Two points separate second-placed Hippos and third-ranked Heathens in the standings. Their last meeting at Damwaters was a remarkable draw last season. Can lightning strike the same place twice?

Full Round Six Fixtures (all kickoff local time – EAT):

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

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