PAUL EPILLO, 26, is the vice captain of the Uganda National Rugby 15s side and vice captain of Heathens Rugby Club. Quick Talk had a conversation with him after his Thursday training at Kyadondo rugby grounds.
Could you briefly tell Quick Talk who Paul Epillo is?
I am Paul Epillo. I grew up in the Nakawa housing estates but hail from Obule village, Soroti district in eastern Uganda. My father is Samuel Opyem and my mother is Penina Namugere.
I attended Kalinabiri primary school in Ntinda, then joined Kyambogo College School where I completed both my Ordinary and Advanced levels of education. I then joined Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi for my Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology.
Where are Mrs Epillo and the children?
[Grinning:] I do not have children at the moment, but I am seeing my special someone. I shall introduce her to the media when the right time comes. We are still in the production phase. She doesn’t like rugby. I do too much convincing to bring her here.
It is a rough sport. Were your parents supportive?
Growing up, our home was located a kilometer from Kyadondo rugby grounds. We used to come here and watch our seniors like coach Robert Sseguya alias Soggy (RIP), Micheal Wokorach, Alex Mubiru… In their prime, all these guys played for Heathens. Playing for Heathens became a lifetime goal amongst us the children that grew around Kyadondo. When I started playing, my parents did not support me because they felt the game was risky. My mother grew to accept the game and she eventually bought me my first pair of boots.
Why Nkozi of all universities?
Nkozi gave me a bursary through coach Allan Otim. He had been my rugby coach at Kyambogo College School. I also played with him at Heathens. It was natural for me to go there because the scholarship granted me a whole new world ahead. I didn’t think twice; because without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have gone through university.
How did you strike a balance between sports and books?
Sports and books are the hardest combination, but I maneuvered. When it was school time, I gave books my best. When it was rugby time, I gave it my best. My school timetable favoured me because trainings happened on Tuesdays, Thursdays and we played on Saturdays. I reached an understanding with my club (Heathens) that I make my Tuesday training in Nkozi and then join the team on Thursday afternoon for training, stay for the Saturday game, then return to Nkozi. That became my routine for the time I was there.
When did you join the national team?
My first call was in 2015 although I didn’t make it to the main team until 2019 when we were playing the Elgon Cup against Kenya in Kisumu. In the lower ranks, I had represented Uganda in the Under-19 competitions: 2013 in Tunisia, 2014 in Uganda and 2015 in Zimbabwe. I also featured in the University select side for Uganda in Namibia.
How is the national duty role as vice captain?
The role is big since with it comes with responsibility, but you are a player before you are captain. Your teammates look up to you for decisions; you have to be able to motivate the players while on pitch. My captain and I are among the youngest captain set [the team has ever had]. Before us, the national team had older people in these positions.
I have been captain for all the teams I have played in. I was the captain of Tigers [beginner team at Kyadondo rugby club], Stallions [second feeder team at Kyadondo]. I joined Buffaloes in 2013 and became a captain. I became a captain after joining Heathens in 2018 and I am now the vice captain. I think my earlier calls of duty prepared me for the task ahead.
Why do you choose to play the 15s over the 7s?
The 15s offers me flexibility during training. The 7s is very hard and demanding. I last played the 7s in 2019 and I was drained by the distance. Travelling from Nkozi at 4am to catch up with the 6am training and then travel back at 8am to catch up with classes took a toll on me. I then decided to settle for the 15s. When we returned from the Safari 7s in Kenya, I talked to the coach and he allowed me to make the decision.
Is there good money in Ugandan rugby?
There’s money when the tournament is ongoing or when you make it to the national team. When it is not national team season, there’s a drought of money. To keep afloat and manage Kampala, the players have a second source of income.
Rugby pays, but not that much; if a job that pays you all year is demanding, yet rugby pays you for two to three months, people have been forced to choose their jobs and walk out on the game.
How do you intend to address this?
There are endorsements and sponsorship deals, but they are not enough. We want to negotiate for more from the sponsors. At club level, more investment is needed to see that the sport is fully professionalized.
Are you going professional?
I am happy and comfortable where I am. I don’t think I am going pro. I have like three seasons in the game and [then I] move. If I am to keep in the game, I shall be as a coach.
Who are your best international and local teams?
I love the Fiji 7s and most especially Jerry Tuwai, because he knows how to offload opponents [retrieves his phone to show Quick Talk several video clips of Tuwai in action]. In Uganda, Al-Hajji Manano from Betway Kobs is my standout player.
Have you won any silverware?
Yes, I have won two league cups in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020.
What is the one thing you are proud of?
For someone like me born and bred in the ghetto, rugby gave me a lifestyle. It gave us a chance to go to school. Maybe I wouldn’t be here without the beautiful sport. Most of our childhood friends were unable to rise beyond the trappings of the ghetto. These were factors beyond their own doing.
Between Soggy and Micheal Wokorach; who’s your pick?
Soggy (RIP) is a legend. I joined rugby under the Kyadondo Totos Program. I was in P3 at the time. Christine Kizito, now based in the United Kingdom, introduced us to rugby.
Soggy took it upon himself to train us all in the basics of the game. When he was the national team head coach, I got my first cap. That is why most of the kids at Kyadondo referred to him as Mzee. May God grant his soul an eternal rest.
Amen. Do you have a favourite song?
Million Little Miracle by Maverick City.
And a favourite quote?
I am not an ardent reader; reading is a skill I am honing at the moment. Someone introduced me to Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. It is an amazing book.
But I have a Bible verse. Matthew 21:22: “Everything you ask for in prayer you shall receive only if you have faith”.
[As Quick Talk says his goodbyes, Epillo draws out his phone and plays Pastor Wilson Bugembe’s Katonda Y’abadde Mweno Ensonga].