Heathens Legend Alex Mubiru -on Friday morning at Kyadondo Rugby Club- officially announced his retirement from active Rugby after 20 years of an eventful career.
News of Mubiru’s retirement from professional Rugby surfaced this week on Tuesday 3rd but it is today that the Heathens Forward officially announced the end of his 20-year-old career during a presser held at Kyadondo Rugby Club.
Nicknamed “Musava” and “Kamotoka” because of his sprint and pace during his prime, Alex traded his ply only at Heathens, a club he joined in 2003 leading to his call to the National Sevens and fifteens in 2004 and 2005 respectively.
Before finding a comfortable stance in Rugby, Alex was a baseball and Cricket player at Kyambogo College where he went as far as representing Uganda in the U-15 Africa Baseball Championships alongside players like Anthony Kinene, teammate Allan Otim, and Ramsey Olinga who is the former Rugby Union CEO.
Mubiru is talked of as an inspiration to many in the circles of rugby, and he leaves behind a lasting legacy as the best hooker Uganda has ever had.
JONAN MANZI – CHAIRMAN HIPPOS RUGBY CLUB & FORMER HEATHENS PLAYER
Alex is a legend… Scored many tries for Heathens. He has been a number one hooker for Uganda for so many years. I remember the first time I saw him, he was playing for Kyambogo and they had come to play against us (Heathens) and we were shocked because these boys were playing beyond what we had expected. He kept playing so we’ll and actually I think he has retired before his time because we wanted to see more action from him for many more years. But he has chosen to hung up his books so we shall miss seeing him in action and the entertainment he has always given us.
In his most recent club engagement, Mubiru won the Uganda Cup with the Heathens after a dramatic journey that saw them win a coin toss against KOBs in the Semis, and later emerge winners in the final against the Stanbic Black Pirates.
Heathens Captain Micheal Wokorach said he is desolated by the retirement of the Club Legend, but he is proud of the footprints Alex leaves behind him
MICHAEL WOKORACH – CAPTAIN HEATHENS RUGBY CLUB
It is really sad and emotional that our legend has hung up his boots, but we also accept that it is about time though we would have wanted him to stay for another one or two seasons. He leaves behind a very huge legacy, that no hooker has ever played better than Mubiru and it is going to be hard to find a replacement for him on both the club and National Team. Above all we appreciate him for the service throughout his career and definitely he has nurtured a number of players who will try and fit in his boots.
Throughout his time, Mubiru has groomed a number of potential replacements who will have to prove themselves if they are to fit the Giant shoes he leaves.
ALEX MUBIRU – FORMER PLAYER, HEATHENS / RUGBY CRANES
I grew up with a number of big boys like the Tolbert Onyangos, the Tito Okurutus, and seeing all these boys, they nurtured us.
I have been around for a while in the sport so I have groomed a number of players as well, so for me it is all about giving back to the sport, making sure that when I leave, I am not called back.
I want the young boys to also start taking on the mantle . I want to be remembered for being nostalgic, and passionate about the sport.
During his time as a player, Mubiru won eight Uganda Cup titles and twelve Rugby Premier League trophies with the Heathens, making him one of the most successful players with the club and with the national team.
“Mungu ni Wetu” a Swahili phrase loosely translated to God is with us, and a Luganda word “Songa yo” meaning “point to the sky” are some of the words that Heathens’ faithfuls will remember the legend for.
Mubiru wants to be remembered as a passionate player who gave in his all for the well-being of the sport, as he now takes the backseat to enjoy the hooligan’s game played by gentlemen.
