Comfort Angayika: The story of a rising Star

Comfort Angayika, a standout player for the Thunderbird Rugby Football Club, is quickly becoming a household name in Ugandan rugby circles.

Known for her explosive speed and physicality, she plays both the 7s and 15s versions of the game.

In the 7s, Comfort is a utility player, able to adapt to multiple positions on the field. When it comes to the 15s, she takes on the roles of an outside center (13) and fullback (15), using her athleticism and game sense to break defensive lines with ease.

Off the field, Comfort is in her second year at Makerere University, pursuing a degree in Library and Information Science, balancing her academic and athletic aspirations with precision.

Comfort’s journey into rugby is as inspiring as her performances on the field. Growing up in Makerere, she was introduced to the sport by sheer chance.

“Rugby was the sport being trained near our home,” Comfort recalls. “I would see my fellow kids going for training, and one day I decided to follow them and see what rugby was all about.”

That decision led her to the Rams Academy, where she began training under the guidance of Coach Jude, Coach Pizza, and Coach Simba.

Despite being the only girl in the academy, Comfort didn’t shy away from competing alongside the boys.

She trained rigorously every weekend and during holidays, even though the academy didn’t have a dedicated ladies’ team at the time. “I started with the boys because there was no ladies’ team. I was used to the boys’ game, so I became strong and tough.”

One Saturday during an age-grade tournament, Comfort’s life took a pivotal turn. She had come to watch her teammates play, but a persistent friend urged her to join the girls’ team on the field. “At first, I refused because I was scared. I thought I was too rough for the girls since I had only trained with boys,” Comfort admits.

However, after some persuasion, she took to the field, impressing everyone, including two players from Thunderbirds RFC. They asked if she had a team and invited her to join the club. This marked the beginning of Comfort’s rise in the Ugandan rugby scene.

Transitioning to the Thunderbirds was both exciting and nerve-wracking for Comfort. She admired the team’s legacy and the high standards they upheld.

“Thunderbirds had seniors and big ladies I feared so much because they meant business,” Comfort says. Nevertheless, she felt welcomed and was determined to prove herself.

After just two weeks of training with Thunderbirds, Comfort received an unexpected but life-changing call-up to the Uganda National 7s team in 2018 for the Safari 7s tournament in Kenya.

While the initial excitement of her national team debut was tempered by nerves and the weight of her parents’ disapproval, Comfort’s big sister played a pivotal role in securing their permission for her to travel to Kenya.

“My parents weren’t that supportive at first. They were worried rugby would distract me from my studies,” Comfort explains. But once her father saw the potential for a balance between school and sport, he gave his blessing.

In Kenya, Comfort faced her first real test. Although she didn’t play on the first day of the tournament, she eventually took the field on the second day, and despite her team’s struggles, the experience boosted her confidence. “I didn’t play many games, but I was happy to be there and get a taste of international rugby.”

Back at Thunderbirds, Comfort faced stiff competition for playing time. With the team brimming with experienced players, she often found herself on the bench, only getting the occasional second-half appearance.

However, her patience paid off when Thunderbirds won the 15s league, solidifying their place as the top team in Uganda.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which brought rugby, like most sports, to a grinding halt. But even in the face of adversity, Comfort found a way to stay involved.

Coach Jude, recognizing the need for a women’s team at Rams, formed the Ewes, and Comfort was instrumental in its development.

Despite early losses in their first tournament, Comfort’s leadership and resilience helped the team grow, and they soon found themselves facing off against top women’s sides like Thunderbirds, Black Pearls, and Avengers.

After three years with the Ewes, Comfort made the decision to return to Thunderbirds in 2022, driven by personal reasons and her desire to compete at a higher level. Under the guidance of Coach Ben Kigongo, she quickly reestablished herself as a key player for the team.

In July 2023, Comfort was once again called up to the national 7s squad, but her journey was briefly halted by a shoulder injury.

Undeterred, she recovered and returned to action, this time making the Uganda 15s national team for trial games in Tunisia. Although Uganda didn’t win any matches, Comfort’s passion for the game and her determination only grew stronger.

Comfort sees her rugby career as part of a bigger plan, shaped by faith and hard work. She believes that 2024 is her breakthrough year, and her recent performances back that up.

After a stellar run in the 15s leg, where she earned two MVP titles, Comfort was recalled to the national 7s team.

Although her academic commitments kept her from traveling with the team to the Willem Strauss International Rugby 7s tournament in South Africa, her ambitions remain clear. “My goal is to sign a contract with the national 7s team and help Uganda qualify for the World Cup,” she says with conviction.

Comfort Angayika’s journey from the rugby fields of Makerere to the national stage is one of perseverance, growth, and an unwavering love for the game.

Her story is not only a testament to her skill and determination but also a source of inspiration for young girls in Uganda who dream of breaking barriers in sports.