Impis survive Hippos scare to reach Uganda Cup quarterfinals

Tackle in the Uganda Cup final, Vipers SC v KCCA FC at FUFA Stadium Kadiba, May 2025. Photo: Gadlee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Impis RFC beat Hippos RFC 32-27 at the Hippos ground on Monday to advance to the Stanbic Uganda Cup quarterfinals.

The Makerere side trailed for most of the match after Fritz-Gerald Omole crossed first for the home team and Maxwell Ebonga converted.

Impis responded quickly when scrumhalf Travor Kabanda exploited a fringe opening to score near the Hippos five-metre line.

Hippos controlled territory through the halfback pairing of Aziz Bagalana and John Echeru whose tactical kicks forced Impis into handling errors.

Hassan Gidudu's chase added pressure and Hippos led at the break through further scores from Gidudu and Ebonga.

Impis made three injury-enforced substitutions during the game, a concern for their coaches.

The visitors used their physical edge in the second half when prop Kyle Atuhaire powered over from a rolling maul.

Edgar Akimanzi slotted a penalty to put Impis ahead for the first time but Ebonga answered with a long-range kick to level.

Impis kept pressing and Darren Aine intercepted a poor Echeru clearance to beat three defenders for a corner try and a five-point lead.

Second-half substitute Jeff Msasa then crashed over from the 22-metre line after lazy Impis defence and Ebonga converted to restore the Hippos lead.

In the dying minutes Tumukunde crossed in the corner and Akimanzi converted to snatch a 32-27 victory.

Impis will travel to Kyadondo Rugby Club for a quarterfinal against Buffaloes RFC who crushed Kitgum Lions 65-00 in their round of 16 tie.

Quarterfinal fixtures