Uganda Rugby comes together for Robert ‘Soggy’ Seguya
A series of fundraiser events were set up, to collect the much needed but urgent funds to facilitate the coach’s treatment.
“Our greatest rugger of all time, Robert ‘Soggy’ Seguya, down with Leukemia. You fought for us, now we fight for you, with you. Let’s do this!!” was a tweet shared by Mark Ssali, a seasoned sports journalist and commentator, about the plight of the Uganda Rugby Cranes tactician, Robert Seguya, who is battling with Leukemia.
Seguya is arguably Uganda’s greatest rugby player, and many refer to him as the GOAT (Greatest of all time). While preparing the national team for this year’s Africa rugby competition, the 42-year tactician was admitted to hospital in critical state. He was diagnosed with a blood cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant.
A call to fundraise for his treatment caught like a wildfire across the East African region, especially in Uganda and Kenya. Many friends, rugby fans and enthusiasts came together to contribute money to enable the tactician start chemotherapy treatment.
“Robert “Soggy” Seguya has been disgnosed with acute Leukemia and needs our support,” read a tweet from Kenya Rugby.
A series of fundraiser events were set up, to collect the much needed but urgent funds to facilitate the coach’s treatment. The first fundraiser games were organized at the Kyadondo rugby grounds, where ‘Soggy’ has spent a larger part of life as a player and coach with the Heathens, Buffaloes rugby clubs and as the manager of the facility.
The games attracted retired former national players and administrators like Yayiro Kasasa, former Uganda Rugby Union president Andrew Owori, current Union president Godwin Kayangwe, among others.
The fundraiser managed to collect Shs. 11,000,000.
Seguya’s highlights
Selected for Africa Leopards twice in 2007 and 2008 being made captain on the first call
Won the Uganda Cup with Heathens 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001
Played for Uganda in 7s at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, 2010
Played for Uganda in the IRB Sevens circuit in 2001, 2003, 2004
Has coached Heathens, Toyota Buffaloes and Jinja Hippos
Current coach of the Uganda Rugby Cranes XV side
