Having put up great league performances in 2007 and 2008, rugby fans were beginning to wonder what could have happened to the National University of Rwanda rugby club, the Grizzlies.

The team has lost two consecutive league games this year with a 95-00 loss to Buffalo RFC to its name.

Times Sport has since established that the side’s poor show is due to the departure of its inspirational coach-player and founder, Joseph Bugabo. He has since joined Kanombe based Simba RFC.

In an interview with Times Sport, he pointed out work commitments and the long distance between Kigali and Butare as the reasons behind the move.

"I am currently working in Kigali and realistically speaking, I had no alternative but to join a club near my work place,” he said.

"I however left Grizzlies in a position where it can sustain itself. I would want to see it grow every year. I am sure it will get its feet soon.”

Bugabo is one of the few elite rugby players in Rwanda. He played for Rhinos RFC and Makerere Impis, both leading Ugandan rugby clubs. He won, among others, the coveted East Africa University Games tourney with the latter.

He played for Uganda’s national side, the Cranes, in various international tournaments.

He started the Grizzlies in 2006. It finished third in its debut season in 2007. During his tenure, Grizzlies won the Buffalo 7s Plate trophy twice (2007 and 2008) and the coveted ‘Team with Fair Play’ in 2007. 

"I hope to gradually improve Simba’s level of competitiveness,” he said.

Meanwhile Grizzlies appointed former assistant coach Alphonse Umugire to take over from Bugabo.

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