Stanbic Black Pirates stormed into the Uganda Rugby Premiership semifinals with a commanding 36-6 victory over Walukuba Barbarians in the quarterfinal second leg at Kings Park Arena on April 12, 2025. The Sea Robbers’ 63-26 aggregate win was sealed on a waterlogged pitch, but the match ended abruptly after a shocking walk-off by Walukuba players
Under light rain, Pirates dominated from the start, leading 19-0 at halftime. William Nkore, Timothy Kisiga, Alex Aturinda, and Conrad Wanyama scored four unanswered tries, with Nkore adding three penalties and two conversions, and Wanyama contributing a drop goal. Walukuba’s Gift Wokorach managed two consolation conversions, but the Barbarians were outclassed.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 69th minute when a scuffle erupted near the Pirates’ bench. After consultations, referee Gonzaga Mayanja sent Pirates’ Haruna Mohammed and Walukuba’s Ahmed Ssekyanzi to the sin bin. As play was set to resume with a Walukuba penalty, the Barbarians refused to return, walking off to their tent in protest of a referee call. Mayanja ended the game early, confirming Pirates’ progression.
“Walukuba were looking for an exit,” analyst Ernest Akorebirungi noted on X, adding that rules prevent a walk-off after halftime from altering the result.
Pirates now join Platinum Credit Heathens, KCB KOBs, and Jinja Hippos in the semifinals, mirroring last year’s lineup. Other quarterfinal results saw Heathens draw 10-10 with Victoria Sharks (51-36 agg.), KOBs edge Buffaloes 30-19 (37-36 agg.), and Hippos beat Rhinos 32-19 (52-30 agg.).
After an Easter break, the semifinals kick off April 26, with Pirates facing Heathens and Hippos taking on KOBs in two-leg ties. Pirates, buoyed by their home fortress, aim to defend their title.
The four semifinalists— Pirates, Heathens, KOBs and Hippos— remain unchanged from last year’s playoffs.
The semifinals, also featuring two home-and-away legs, will be played on April 26 and May 3.
• SF1: Heathens v Pirates
• SF2: Hippos v KOBs
This will be after a break to celebrate the Easter holiday.