Robert Seguya, a rugby superstar, has died.

Robert Seguya, the legendary open flanker and five-time Uganda Rugby League winner who led Uganda to victory in the Rugby Africa Cup in 2007, has died after a battle with leukaemia.

Seguya, a rugby icon in his own right following a stellar career in which he demonstrated the tenacity, dedication, and Dunkirk spirit that earned him the moniker “Iron Man.”

The Uganda Rugby Union confirmed the 43-year-death old’s on social media on Tuesday evening, following months of treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago.

“Uganda Rugby mourns the passing of famous coach and player Robert Seguya. May his spirit find eternal rest. Uganda Rugby Union (URU) tweeted, “#RIPRobertSseguya.”

Soggy, as he is affectionately called among his friends, was diagnosed with cancer in May 2021, after complaining of feeling poorly after watching his team, Hippos, defeat Mongers 25-11 in a league game in Jinja.

The outcome also confirmed the Hippos’ fourth-place finish – their best ever in the league – which had been Soggy’s (a coach at the time) goal at the outset of the season.

Soggy was transported to Pulse Clinic in Kololo a week after the game, where he was stabilized before being diagnosed with acute leukemia.

He was then transferred to Mulago Cancer Institute to begin his chemotherapy treatment, despite his desire to return to the field.

“I’m OK; I’m feeling a lot better.” Soggy assured, “I’ll be back coaching shortly.”

He pushed on and showed indications of improvement as the entire rugby nation rallied behind him, both financially and emotionally, to see him through the ordeal.

Soggy, arguably Uganda’s best player, was a multi-talented athlete who excelled in football, boxing, and athletics during his time at Namilyango College.

But it was rugby that won his heart, with two African crowns for Uganda and seven league triumphs with the Heathens (five as a player and two as a coach).

Soggy’s long list of accomplishments includes seven Uganda Cup titles as a player and one as a coach, 11 National Sevens titles, and five Makerere 10s titles, as well as the Buffaloes’ best-ever league result of second place.

In 2002 and 2007, he was also selected for the Africa Leopards, a representative team from the African Rugby Union that included the finest players on the continent.

The accomplishments of Robert Seguya as a player
In 2007 and 2008, he was selected for the Africa Leopards twice and was named captain on the first call.
In 2006, he won the Elgon Cup, and in 2002 and 2007, he was crowned African Champion.
Heathens won the league in 2002, 2004, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
Heathens won the Uganda Cup in 2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, and 2001.
In 2006 and 2010, he represented Uganda in 7s at the Commonwealth Games.
In 2001, 2003, and 2004, he represented Uganda in the IRB Sevens circuit.