Hilma Nalupe
From the dusty fields of northern Namibia to the semi-final stages of the national league, Saari Uugwanga is not just playing rugby but building a movement.
An eighth man with great strength and off-field vision, he is among a new generation of Namibian players who are redefining the role of athletes as competitors and changemakers.
“I’m a driven and dedicated rugby player with roots in the north and a vision to see the game flourish across Namibia,” he remarked. That vision goes far beyond scoring tries. It is about opening doors for young people and creating a sustainable future for rugby in underserved areas.
Uugwanga’s rugby journey began at age 13, playing hooker at Windhoek High School.
“From my first match, I was hooked – literally and figuratively,” he laughed.
Inspired by the Springboks’ 2007 Rugby World Cup victory and shaped by mentors like the late coach Werner Jeffery and Gerald Loubser, his passion grew immensely. He eventually transitioned to the back row, where he found his calling as an eighth man. “As an eighth man, I now play a central role in both defence and attack, linking the forwards and backs and leading from the front when it matters most,” Uugwanga said.
Known for his physicality and ability to break the gain line, his playing style is aggressive, focused and impactful.
“I don’t shy away from contact. My ability to absorb pressure and drive momentum in crucial phases is what sets me apart on the field,” he stated. Despite a busy life to balance work and sport, he has compiled an impressive list of achievements. Uugwanga helped the University of Namibia Rugby Club win the league in 2018. He later became the chairperson of the club and the university’s student representative council sport representative. His move to the Grootfontein Rugby Club helped propel the team to their first-ever league semi-finals. Today, he plays for the Rehoboth Falcons Rugby Club and was recently invited to the Namibia Rugby Union’s field test selection, a sign that the national team may be in sight.
“Representing Namibia is still very much a goal,” Uugwanga said.
“But I’m also focused on building a pipeline of future national players from the north,” he stated.
His commitment to development is clearly evident in the creation of the Oshana Rugby Club, which he co-founded. Based in the northern regions, the club is a beacon for young players often overlooked by the rugby establishment. “The response has been incredibly positive,” Uugwanga said.
“We’ve seen growing interest from schools, local youth and even parents. One of our biggest milestones was receiving support from the former governor of the Oshana region, Elia Irimari. That gave us credibility and a real push forward,” he added.
His vision is clear: for Oshana Rugby Club to become a recognised powerhouse in Namibian rugby, producing players and coaches from the north, with academies and scholarship opportunities.
His ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between rural and urban rugby and prove that excellence knows no region.
For Uugwanga, the work is personal.
He proudly mentors a younger cousin from Tsumeb, who recently made the Namibia U/16 national team.
He was the only player selected from the north. “It proves that talent is everywhere. We just need to nurture it and open the right doors,” he said.
Asked what rugby means to youth in the north, Uugwanga did not hesitate.
“It means opportunity, identity and hope. It gives them purpose and something to belong to. That’s why it’s so important we build systems that support them,” he said. Off the field, rugby has shaped his values – discipline, resilience and humility, which guide him in life as much as in sport. He said the sport has taught him how to lead under pressure, how to bounce back and how to work with people from all walks of life.
Still faced with obstacles such as limited resources, funding and access to structured competition in rural areas, Uugwanga remains undeterred.
“What these kids lack is resources. They make up for in raw passion,” he said.
That passion is what drives him on and off the field.
Whether he is charging through defenders or building new opportunities from the ground up, Uugwanga is proving that the future of Namibian rugby is not just bright but also inclusive, ambitious and proudly northern.