Three teams – two women’s and one men’s – will represent Uganda at the upcoming 2024 Safari 7s in Machakos County, Kenya.
Uganda Women’s 7s senior national team will aim to defend their title with eight players from the previous edition. The Emerging 7s squad has only two players with prior international experience.
Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes 7s: 1 Sandra Amoli Lona, 2 Fazira Namukwaya, 3 Unity Namulala, 4 Grace Auma, 5 Maimuna Nassozi, 6 Mary Gloria Ayot, 7 Agnes Nakuya, 8 Lydia Namabiro, 9 Janat Nandudu, 10 Gertrude Kateesa Junior, 11 Tina Akello, 12 Peace Lekuru.
Uganda Emerging 7s: 1 Phyllis Apio, 2 Juliet Ainomugisha, 3 Esther Tino, 4 Comfort Anganyika, 5 Florence Babirye, 6 Yvonne Najjuma, 7 Mastula Nambozo, 8 Samiya Ayikoru, 9 Gladys Wilembe, 10 Sunday Anirwoth, 11 Habiba Namulembwa, 12 Patricia Anek.
Technical Bench: Charles Onen (head coach), Kigongo Ssebalamu (S&C coach), Nelson Mayeku (Physiotherapist), Winnie Atyang (team manager).
Head coach Charles Onen has picked most players from the just-concluded Nile Special 7s Series. He says he is “using this opportunity to test new combinations and continue our growth as we aim for success in the Africa Women’s 7s this year.”
The 2024 Africa Women’s 7s will be played from November 9-10 in Accra, Ghana. The tournament will also serve as Africa’s qualifier for the 2025 World Rugby 7s Challenger Series.
On the flipside, Uganda Men’s 7s has only sent an Emerging 7s squad for the tournament, with no single player having featured at last year’s edition. Seven players, all outstanding during the just-concluded Nile Special 7s Series, will make their international debuts.
Uganda Emerging 7s: 1 Robin Odrua, 2 Julius Opio, 3 Arnold Ocen, 4 Andrew Odhiambo, 5 Edward Emiemu, 6 Patrick Okello, 7 William Lukwago, 8 Malcolm Okello, 9 Gift Wokorach, 10 Karim Arinaitwe, 11 Humphrey Ndahura, 12 Daniel Otim.
Head coach Tolbert Onyango said that despite being inexperienced and playing together for the first time, “the hunger and commitment these players have shown throughout the season make me confident that they will represent Uganda with pride and put in a solid performance.”
For both men’s and women’s travelling squads, it is safe to say that Uganda has returned to the days of abundance when it would field multiple and fresh teams for international tournaments.
In addition, four Uganda Women’s 7s internationals will participate in the 2024 Safari 7s. Charlotte Mudoola, Emilly Lekuru, Juliet Nandawula, and Suzan Adong will represent festival team Shogun (formerly Samurai). Umar Balikkanda will also officiate at the tournament in his second successive appearance.
Uganda’s Fixtures:
Eight men’s teams will compete at the 2024 Safari 7s. Uganda Emerging 7s is in Pool B with Kenya Morans, Kenya Harlequins, Red Wailers, and Shogun.
Six women’s teams will compete in a single round-robin format. They are Costablanca Barbarians, Kenya Cubs, Kenya Lionesses, Shogun, and the two Ugandan teams.
The tournament will be played from October 11-13 at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County, Kenya.
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