Rugby player, Andrew Odhiambo has just served the KCB Kobs rugby club for two seasons.
The 28-year-old athlete, who was signed from the Jinja Hippos at the end of the 2024 season has now decided to join their fiercest rivals, the Platinum Credit Heathens, in what was a shock move, heading into the Sevens season.
However, as the Heathens welcome their new acquisition, a host of Kobs fans remain wondering where this whole episode leaves their team. When Odhiambo joined Kobs, he was a player that had proved instrumental to the Hippos.
In fact, while Kobs offer was considered irresistable to the player, his parent club at the time was not interested in letting him go. Odhiambo, without a doubt, had proved his value to the cause. A flanker/centre, the Kenyan-born Odhiambo played a key part in the line-outs because of his good jumping abilities.
But at the same time, as he has continued to show over time, in Ugandan rugby, he is a formidable ball carrier. That is what the Kobs got, when he arrived, as Hippos, on the other hand, appeared to lose out.
Upon his arrival, Kobs were undergoing a rebuilding phase. Essentially, Odhiambo fitted in well in as far as the Blue Army project was concerned. As such, he hit the ground running alongside a host of other young players like Stuart Mwayi, Blair Ayebazibwe and Benjamin Muwanguzi among others.
In many ways, Odhiambo provided the future for a Kobs side, whose last domestic trophy was in 2021. Following the departure of Captain and flanker Brian Asaba, coupled with the absenteeism of experienced players like the locks: Robert Aziku and Wilobo Mokili, the injury of Derrick Tukwasibwe, Odhiambo’s arrival appeared to have enabled a plugging of the holes to an extent.
Former Kobs coach, Timothy Mudoola used to commend him for his effective tackling, which made Kobs defending good. But at the same time, referred to him as a tireless worker on the field, for his tenacity towards opponents.
For many, at the end of the 2025 season, Odhiambo was the best signing of the 15s season. His contribution saw Kobs, who had earlier not been fancied to be as competitive, reach the semi-finals of both the league and knock-out cup in 2025.
But that was not all that Odhiambo offered. He was also a mainstay in the Kobs’ sevens team throughout, last year. His skill set and speed could not be missed, something that proved his value as a player. This is a player that has been considered for Uganda Cranes duties. But work on his documents has been an ongoing process.
Yet, with all that highlighted, which is proof of what a top talent Odhiambo is, it beggars a question: Why would Kobs allow him to join Heathens, soon after they lost another good player, Julius Opio to the same side?
Darren Rutagwera, the Kobs chairman said: “Sometimes, things happen that are beyond your control. Odhiambo, who is certainly a good fellow was offered something big by Heathens. He wanted to leave as a result. So, we had to sit down with Heathens and agree on a fee for him.”
In addition, for a while now, Kobs rugby club have been on a restructuring programme. This has meant that they make their dress based on how much cloth they have. The club is not in position to pay beyond their means, otherwise, they could end up in administration.
But at the same time, they are in a position where they must respect the players demands and wishes, which sometimes result in letting them go for harmony to continue in their lockerroom. While Odhiambo’s rugby qualities will be missed at Kobs, yet celebrated at Heathens, who are clearly on a mission to return to the top, at the end of the day, no player is bigger than the club.
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