Sports 18 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Black Pearls Exit Uganda Women's Rugby Premiership Amid Financial Woes
The Black Pearls, four-time defending champions, have withdrawn from the 2026 Uganda Rugby Women’s Premiership due to financial constraints, highlighting broader funding issues in Ugandan rugby. URU is seeking new sponsors to address the shortfall after failing to secure a title partner. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/rugby/financial-strain-hits-ugandan-rugby-as-black-pearls-withdraw-5427922
Ugandan rugby faces mounting financial pressures after the Black Pearls rugby club pulled out of the 2026 Uganda Rugby Women’s Premiership. As four-time consecutive champions since 2021, their exit due to funding shortages has raised alarms in the women’s game.
The Uganda Rugby Union (URU) confirmed the withdrawal in a statement, noting the growing challenges in maintaining elite competition. This follows other unreported cases, like Warriors skipping last year’s National Sevens and a Premiership match.
With Black Pearls out, URU adjusted fixtures for the remaining six teams. Thunderbirds top the table with 21 points, Avengers trail on 20, Nile Rapids hold third at 15, while Ewes and She-Wolves share eight points each, and Panthers languish at the bottom with five.
Clubs voiced frustrations in recent URU meetings over sparse sponsorship and missing players from Lady Cranes XVs camp. Promised funds dropped sharply: women’s teams got about Shs4.6m after cuts from Shs10m pledges, men’s received Shs3.5m upfront from Shs15m. Some men’s clubs eye skipping away games to save costs.
URU CEO Isaac Lutwama admitted the issues, revealing efforts to boost sponsorships post-title partner flop. The union eyes Shs2.64b in sponsorships this year per its May 1 AGM budget, including Shs1.74b from headline deals. Last year brought Shs12.2b mostly from government for the Rugby Africa Cup, with minimal sponsor input.
Action continues this weekend: women’s matches pit Nile Rapids against Panthers at Ruck Yard and She-Wolves hosting Ewes in Mbale. Men’s fixtures include Pirates vs Kakira, Heathens vs Rhinos, and more.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)