Ugandan rugby fraternity mourns tragic death of Eagles’ star after severe head injury

The Ugandan rugby fraternity is in mourning following the death of fly half Ronnie Kayondo following an injury last weekend.

Kayondo, who played for Kampani Eagles, was pronounced dead on Sunday, having been admitted to Kampala Hospital a day earlier, with severe head injuries.

The Makerere University student was rushed to the hospital after suffering a concussion during the Eagles’ match against Toyota Buffalos, which they lost 21-19, at the Kyadondo rugby grounds.

“He was tackled and landed badly but was evacuated within 10 minutes of the incident. We shall wait for the report from the hospital but he was treated for two brain bleeds and the surgery had gone well before he made a turn for the worse,” said Eagles chairman Adam Kabalega as quoted by the New Vision.

The 23-year-old was a promising rugby player who was preparing to graduate from the Makerere University School of Business.

The player is reported to have been treated for about eight minutes as he lay motionless on the ground before being taken to the ambulance for the journey to the hospital.

Kayondo is the second rugby player to die from a rugby-related injury in Uganda after Yusuf Zaidi collapsed and died during a Uganda Cup match between Nile and Buffalo in Jinja in 2013.

The player will be laid to rest in Kaduggala-Mirembe, Masaka district on Tuesday February 11.