Information You Need to Know
Chisano had a very deep relationship with his father, John OkaloOlwangu (RIP). Additionally, South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit is Chisano’s favorite rugby player.
During the 1990s, Joaquim Chissano served as the president of Mozambique. Upon retiring from the presidency, he became one of the most sought-after political dignitaries in Africa and beyond.
Until a few years ago, the only person known by that name was Joaquim Chissano. Then, unexpectedly, a young player emerged on the Uganda rugby scene with the same name. Interestingly, he has no connection to Mozambique. The name issue will be revisited later in the story.
From Kenyan with aspirations
In the realm of sports and journalism, many athletes have shared their journeys of leaving home to pursue dreams in distant places.
For Chisano, December 2016 marked a pivotal moment. After completing Senior Four at St. Paul’s Amukura in Busia, he embarked on a transformative journey. He fondly recalls his arrival in Uganda. Coincidentally, Chisano’s older brother owned a fast food restaurant in Mukono. Upon finishing school, Chisano came to help his brother at work.
Yet, deep down, his heart was set on playing the sport he loved. Chisano boarded a taxi to Kampala and headed straight to Kyadondo Rugby Club for training before even reaching his brother’s house.
“I searched for the nearest rugby club online and found Kyadondo. I directed the taxi driver there and walked in confidently, though I didn’t know anyone at first. Eventually, I got to know the people there, and I was glad to have found a rugby home,” he remembers.
Robert Seguya (RIP) was the coach, and Chisano vividly recalls seeing players like Michael and Phillip Wokorach, AsumanMugerwa, and Alex Mubiru for the first time.
However, one player had something in common with the newcomer: Vincent Mose, the Kenyan fullback playing for Heathens.
Mose advised him to start at Stallions because Heathens might have been too competitive for the ambitious youngster. Chisano followed the advice but found it challenging.
He trained hard and gave his all, but despite his efforts, he never made it onto the team. As time passed, his motivation waned, and he began to lose steam and morale.
Chisano ® tackles Pirates’ Ivan Magomu during a league match.
“I used to travel from my job in Mukono to Kyadondo for training. However, on matchdays, I never got the chance to play, which left me feeling demoralized. I eventually decided to explore other options,” he recalls with a chuckle.
Embraced and welcomed in Entebbe
William OketaKetso and Paul Angana, who played for Plascon Mongers while studying at UCU, were regular customers at Chisano’s brother’s restaurant. Athletes have a way of connecting, and upon learning that Chisano also played rugby, they introduced him to Mongers, a team in Entebbe, urging him to give it a try.
They would travel the distance between Mukono and Entebbe on training days. Chisano, driven by his relentless pursuit of his dream, worked tirelessly to earn a spot on the Mongers team.
If you’ve seen Chisano play, you know his work ethic. He excels in tackling, runs powerfully, and fearlessly throws himself into tough situations. He brought this energy to the team, significantly boosting Mongers’ performance.
Chisano’s breakthrough moment came against the formidable Kobs at the House of Pain in Entebbe. Despite the visitors’ expectation of an easy win, they struggled to secure a narrow 30-29 victory. Chisano recalls the opportunity vividly: with William Wandicho injured, he seized the chance to make his mark on the game. Despite being relatively unknown, his performance, coupled with his famous name, caught everyone’s attention as he scored two crucial tries for Mongers.
“Suddenly, I became the talk of the town. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to get noticed. Major teams from Kampala like Pirates, Kobs, and Heathens approached me, but I chose to remain with Mongers for another season to repay their trust and support in me. It was the only way to show my gratitude,” he reflects.
Being selected for the national team and hesitating to accept
Chisano was like a hungry lion sensing an opportunity. He faced a decision between Uganda and Kenya, a country he held deep affection for and hoped would offer him a chance to wear their green jersey. However, with no opportunity forthcoming from Kenya, Uganda seized the moment.
During the Rugby Africa Cup at Kyadondo following the 2011 Covid lockdown, Brian Makalama included Chisano in the training squad. But like anyone, Chisano had doubts. As the sole player from Mongers and feeling like an outsider, he almost let the chance slip away. Kobs’ lock Robert Aziku encouraged him to join the camp.
His initial experience was tough. Feeling like a stranger among players who all knew each other well, he struggled with the language barrier, especially with lineout calls in Luganda, which he didn’t understand. However, remembering why he pursued rugby renewed his determination to push forward. Over time, he grew fond of the environment.
His pivotal moment came against Algeria, albeit bittersweet. Initially named on the bench, he waited until the final moments of the game to step onto the pitch. His debut lasted just two seconds, touching the ball once in a lineout before the final whistle blew—a moment he now laughs about.
Such an experience might break someone’s spirit, but not Chisano. He saw it as a stroke of luck and remained confident that more opportunities would come his way. Following this brief debut, he decided to leave Mongers and join Heathens after talks with coach Mohammed Athiyo, who planned to utilize him as a flanker—a position he disliked. However, considering Heathens’ prestigious status in Ugandan rugby, playing for them was a dream for many players.
Coincidentally, Chisano’s arrival at Heathens coincided with Charles Uhuru’s injury and subsequent ban, which opened up a spot for Chisano in his preferred position as a second-row. They went on to win the league unbeaten, with Chisano proving his worth with standout performances in the National 7s and Uganda Cup.
Observing Kenya from afar in France
Chisano had committed himself to working tirelessly. He embarked on a rigorous four-month personal training regimen under Makalama’s guidance, focusing on gym workouts, road running, and other intensive exercises.
When Fred Mudoola took over as the national team coach from Makalama, he summoned Chisano to join the squad preparing for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers in France. The challenge was that Chisano had primarily played as a lock, but Mudoola, similar to Athiyo previously, planned to deploy him as a flanker. Although unfamiliar with the position’s demands, Chisano eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn.
Mudoola provided him with a crucial piece of advice: flankers are hard-working, agile players who disrupt and dominate opponents.
“Being in peak physical and mental condition and eager to seize opportunities, I accepted the change. I devoted myself to studying literature and watching countless videos on flanker play,” he explains.
In France, Chisano played as a flanker. Uganda faced a tough 42-07 loss to Kenya, a match that held personal significance for Chisano as he competed against his country of birth, the nation he had hoped to represent but never had the chance to.
Chisano’s Ugandan teammates relied on him to gather intelligence on their opponents. Every strategy discussed in Swahili, Chisano relayed to his teammates from Uganda.
Did they not attempt to punish him for his disloyalty?
“They didn’t realize I was born in Kenya, which may have spared me. They were specifically targeting Scot Oluoch (Kenyan-born) and AsumanMugerwa (who played for Kabras in Kenya),” Chisano reflects.
When asked to compare the two teams, Chisano doesn’t shy away from giving his perspective. He acknowledges that Kenyan teams often come into these contests better prepared physically and in terms of conditioning, which gives them an advantage in the physical aspects of the game. However, he also praises Ugandans for their heart and willingness to give everything for their team, despite their smaller stature.
Chisano underscores the significance of the France trip in his career, highlighting that he played in all three games (against Kenya, Senegal, and Ivory Coast) and performed well.
Chisano’s next international appearance was in last year’s Victoria Cup hosted by Uganda at King’s Park. However, it was a mixed experience for him as he played the opening match against Zambia on the same day he received news of his stepmother’s passing, leading to his departure from the camp. Consequently, he missed the chance to face Kenya in the crucial matches, both at home and away in Kisumu. Despite this setback, his national team record currently stands at a respectable four wins in five games.
The name holds deeper significance.
Chisano shared a deep connection with his father, John OkaloOlwangu (RIP). Notably, South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit is Chisano’s favorite rugby player.
Pieter-Steph du Toit, the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year, nearly lost his career to an ACL injury. During his recovery, surgeons used tendons from his father, incorporating them into the player’s injured area.
This illustrates the profound bond between father and son. Chisano believes his father would have made a similar sacrifice for him if circumstances required it. Sadly, Chisano’s father passed away on May 1, 2023, after a hospitalization due to injuries sustained in a robbery.
Chisano’s name has an intriguing backstory. Named after his grandfather Joachim, he was given the surname Chissano in homage to Mozambique’s former president, Joaquim Chissano, whom his father greatly admired. Thus, his full name, Joaquim ChisanoOlwangu, came into use.
In his desire for distinction, whenever he conducted searches online, the name “Joachim Chissano” predominantly linked to the Mozambican leader. To establish his unique identity, he officially registered himself as “Joaquim Chisano” on his academic and travel documents.
Plans for the future
As an athlete, Chisano aims to reach the pinnacle of rugby success. He made a promise to his father to push himself to the utmost and transform their family’s fortunes.
Even with his father’s passing, Chisano remains resolute. He feels a responsibility to fulfill his goals for his mother and believes his father is watching over him with pride from above.
Chisano recognizes the opportunities that rugby has offered many players and is determined that through dedication and discipline, he can achieve great heights in the sport.
