Uganda fire coach Ham Onsando

Uganda Rugby Union have sensationally fired Cranes coach Kenyan born
Ham Onsando. The Kenyan's four month stint sadly came to an end
yesterday.

With only one win to show in the Victoria Cup against Zimbabwe and two
crushing defeats to bitter rivals Kenya especially a painful home
defeat, Onsando's Uganda tour has come to an end.

The writing was always on the wall for the Kenyan tactician who also
doubled up as Ruwenzori super rugby coach. He failed to garner
victories that would inspire the team and get the crucial backing from
his boss Uganda Rugby chairman William Blick.

Prior to the Victoria Cup Uganda who are the 'reigning' Africa amateur
champions were ahead of Kenya in the IRB rankings but by the end of
the competition they were more than 10 places behind Kenya.

Onsando rugby past has seen him previously as Kenya 7's coach in its
formative years. He led Kenya to their first Safaricom Safari Sevens
title back in 1997 before being relieved of his duties. He then tried
his hand with the Kenya 15's but was not given the head coach job.

At club level he saw success with Kenya Harlequins RFC in 1996, 1997
and 1999 before being shown the door. He then moved upstairs and
become KRFU vice-chairman as interestingly no club wanted to touch him
as coach. Thereafter he moved to Uganda where he coached Entebbe
Mongers before his big job as Cranes Coach.

Osando's options would be to return to Kenya where he could take up
the post of coach at Mean Machine, Strathmore or Nakuru RFC. With his
experience he would even be a good catch for KRFU once Tank Otieno
retires at the end of the year as national coach. Having been formerly
at Harlequins he could form a good technical bench with Edward Kinyany
who is widely expected to succeed Tank Otieno.

Uganda will look to assistant coach Sam Ahamya to become new Cranes
coach with Herbert Wafula the former captain as his assistant. With
finances being difficult the URFU can no longer afford the likes of
successful South African coaches Chester Williams and David Dobela.
Tank Otieno would also be an outside bet.