Started in 1993 on a budget of Shs240, 000, the Hima-Makerere 10s rugby tournament has grown in stature as East Africa's biggest club rugby event with this year's contest costing a whooping Shs118m.

Today, at Kyadondo RFC, the Hima-Mak 10s enters its 17th edition, whose top prize is Shs4m, with an enticing schedule that includes four Kenyan teams and Rwanda's Silverbacks.

However, the interest of the local folklore will be in the prospects of the 10 Ugandan sides in 15-team draw after Lusaka (Zambia) withdrew on Thursday. And many will look no further than MTN Heathens - the defending champions - to keep local pride intact.

"It's important that we take it one game at a time," Brian Tabaruka, the Heathens captain, told Saturday Monitor. Heathens - who will be without Chris Lubanga (knee) and Mathias Ochwo (work) - have Entebbe Mongers and Kenya's Mean Machine to deal with in Pool A.

The task for Brian Power, the Makerere University Hima Impis coach, is to ensure that the hosts post a respectable performance. "Heathens are favourites of course but I believe we can get to the final. We need a good start which will build confidence," Power said.

Impis face G4S Pirates, Silverbacks and Summerkamp in Pool D.

For utl Kobs, the tournament offers another opportunity to put an end to a lean spell. "This is another chance to build our young side so there's nothing to fear," Kobs coach Herbert Wafula.

The top two teams from each pool will advance to tomorrow's Main Cup quarterfinals.