It is the Rugby World Cup qualification year and Uganda, like many other African budding rugby countries, is combing Europe to trace players with any Ugandan blood who can help the cause.
The Uganda Rugby Union has its eyes on Ronald Mushiso, yet another Ugandan playing rugby in the Northern Hemisphere. Mushiso has spent the better part of his life in the UK
A rugby jack-of- all trades, he is currently a player-coach in Union for Richmond RFC and Rugby League for St Mary’s University. At only 27, Mushiso’s achievements are remarkable, though only one remains elusive –– representing his home country Uganda.
For this reason he is following his dream and will fly to Uganda in time for the start of the Super 8 league next month. He will feature for local side MTN Heathens for some weeks before returning to the UK.
Mushiso started his rugby career as a teenager in Heathland High School in London in 1994. The school games master seconded him to Twickenham RFC junior team where he played for three years before joining Richmond RFC on account of his parents moving house.
He spent a successful three-year spellwith Richmond RFC (1997-1999) which ended with a memorable tour of South Africa. In the period 1996-1999 he also played representative rugby for Middlesex County.
In 1999 his skills caught the attention of a talent scout from European Super League side London Broncos who invited him for trials. He passed the trials and signed a full time professional contract with London Broncos.
This was the beginning of his switch from Union to Rugby League.
| Ronald Mushiso Date of Birth: 12.08.1981 Place of Birth: Mbale, Uganda Height: 5’10 Weight: 83kg Position: Centre Club: Richmond & St Mary’s University RLFC |
In his debut year he played against South Africa’s U18 RL at Wembley. At London Broncos he had the privilege of rubbing shoulders with greats like Shaun Edwards, Martin ’Charriots’ Offiah, Jimmy Dymock and former All Black captain Ritchie Barnett .
He also played alongside fellow Ugandan Yusuf Kakembo Sozi. In the period 1999-2003 Mushiso had the distinction of playing representative rugby for South England Development Rugby League.
In 2003 the London Broncos went into receivership, eventually getting bought out by Harlequins RLFC.
The same year Mushiso suffered a series of injuries and his contract was not renewed forcing him out of the highly competitive European Super League. Out of contract he was approached by Huddersfield Giants RLFC who sponsored him to go to university.
The move from European Super League to University Rugby League was easy as he excelled, winning a call up to play representative rugby for the England students team, where he won eight caps against countries like Scotland, France, Wales and Ireland. He also helped St Mary’s win the England Universities Championship in 2005.
Not content with just playing university rugby league, Mushiso signed a semi-professional contract with National League One side London Skolars where he played from 2003-2006.
Due to academic pressure he had to leave London Skolars but currently still plays for university side St Mary’s where he is a player coach.
A holder of an IRB level II certificate Mushiso has interfaced his playing with coaching, previously with London Scottish as the Youth Development Coach before moving on to former club Richmond RFC in the same capacity.
Uganda’s coaching director David Dobela and head coach Yayiro Kasasa will be monitoring his progress closely when he returns. There is little doubt they will like what they will see.
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