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Held at the Bank's Head Office in Kololo, the drive collected 52 units of blood, which will be processed by the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services and distributed to health facilities across the country. The donated blood will support mothers experiencing childbirth complications, accident victims, children with severe anaemia, patients undergoing surgery and individuals receiving treatment for chronic medical conditions. The exercise comes at a time when Uganda continues to face a shortage of blood. According to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services, the country requires approximately 500,000 units of blood each year to meet national demand but collected about 439,000 units in the previous year. During a media briefing ahead of World Blood Donor Day in June 2026, UBTS Executive Director Dr Dorothy Kyeyune Byabazaire noted that the shortfall means approximately one in every 10 Ugandans who require a blood transfusion is unable to access one when needed.

Captain Isaac Massanganzira will lead the traveling side, assisted by vice-captains Frank Kidega, Alex Aturinda, and Conrad Wanyama as the Pirates seek to become the first Ugandan club in the modern era to win the regional title. The squad announcement was made during the “Twende Nairobi” sponsors and fans meet-and-greet event hosted by Stanbic Bank Uganda at Sisha Nyama Village in Kampala. Stanbic Bank Executive Director Sam Mwogeza described the Pirates’ qualification as a milestone moment for Ugandan sport. “For over 50 years, no Ugandan club has reached the finals of the prestigious Enterprise Cup. Today, the Stanbic Black Pirates have rewritten history and reminded all of us what Ugandan sport is capable of when talent, discipline, belief, and partnership come together,” Mwogeza said.

Mwogeza also rallied Ugandans travelling across the region to take advantage of Stanbic Bank’s internationally acclaimed borderless banking solutions, including cards, the Stanbic App, and FlexiPay, which enable customers to stay in control of their finances regardless of geographical location. “The ‘Twende Nairobi’ campaign is more than a rugby campaign. It is a movement that connects travel, regional integration, innovation, fan culture, and seamless financial solutions into one shared East African experience,” Mwogeza said, adding that the initiative reflects the bank’s purpose: “Uganda is our home, we drive her growth.” Mervin Odongo, the Stanbic Black Pirates Head Coach said the team understands the weight of responsibility heading into the final. “This final is bigger than the Pirates badge. We are representing Ugandan rugby and an entire country that believes in what this team has achieved,” Odongo said. Vice-captain Frank Kidega said the players are determined to reward fans for their continued support throughout the campaign. “We understand what this opportunity means for Ugandan rugby, and the squad is ready to compete and make the country proud,” Kidega said. Key to note is that the team leadership has retained a strong core that powered the Pirates’ impressive run to the final, including influential forwards Eliphaz Emong, Sunday Jaguar, Nathan Bwambale, and Samuel Lubwama, who are expected to anchor the battle upfront against the powerful Kenyan champions. In the backline, much attention will fall on vice-captain Frank Kidega, playmaker John Paul Atim, Humphrey Tashobya, and dangerous finisher Mubarak Wandera as the Pirates look to unlock Kabras Sugar’s defense. The inclusion of experienced campaigners such as Conrad Wanyama, Allan Karuhanga, and Stephen Alul adds depth and leadership to the traveling team, while younger players like Timothy Kisiga and Haruna Muhammad offer energy off the bench. Stanbic Black Pirates Traveling Squad 1.Alema Ruhweza 2.Ivan Kabagambe 3.Ariho Muhumuza 4.Umar Duff 5.Samuel Lubwama 6.Nathan Bwambale 7.Sunday Jaguar 8.Eliphaz Emong 9.Frank Kidega (VC) 10.John Paul Atim 11.Moses Zziwa 12.Sydney Gongodyo 13.Humphrey Tashobya 14.Alex Aturinda (VC) 15.Mubarak Wandera 16.Conrad Wanyama (VC) 17.Stephen Alul 18.William Nkore 19.Eric Mula 20.Davis Shimwa 21.Allan Karuhanga 22.Jeremiah Okello 23.Pius Ojeabulu 24.Timothy Kisiga 25.Haruna Muhammad 26.Isaac Massanganzira (Captain) The Pirates will depart Kampala on Wednesday ahead of the final scheduled for Saturday, May 30, in Nairobi.