New chapter beckons for Uganda in 7s Challenger Series

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The Uganda Men’s 7s national team setup has made yet another step in its transition. There is only one player still standing from the squad which featured at the inaugural World Rugby 7s Challenger Series in 2020 five years ago.

Nobert Okeny sprints for the try v Hong Kong in the main cup quarterfinal of the 2020 7s Challenger Credit: Kawowo Sports | MATIAS MATUS ACEBO

Nobert Okeny, now co-captain, will lead Uganda during its fifth successive appearance at the 7s Challenger. Flanked by co-captain Alex Aturinda, they will lead a largely fresh squad for the tournament’s three rounds in Cape Town (2) and Krakow.

“We had a look at the Nile Special 7s Series last year and I think we’ve picked some of the best players who performed well in that tournament. Obviously, we’ve given a break to some of the older guys who have been constant call-ups in the 7s setup. It presents an opportunity for the young boys to go and introduce themselves to the world and have some fun,” head coach Tolbert Onyango said to Kawowo Sports on Friday afternoon.

Onyango has gone all-in with his selections, picking sixteen players for the entire 7s Challenger. The first twelve will travel for the opening two rounds in Cape Town from March 1-2 to March 7-8.

Uganda Men’s Squad for the 2025 7s Challenger Series (debutants*):

Travelling Squad: 1 Alex Aturinda (co-captain), 2 Nobert Okeny (co-captain), 3 Allan Olango Olweny, 4 Patrick Okello, 5 Arnold Jones Ocen*, 6 Allan Amaire Karuhanga*, 7 Malcolm Daniel Okello, 8 Karim Arinaitwe, 9 Aaron Tukei, 10 Roy Batholomew Kizito, 11 Kamiza Ndoboli Jones*, 12 Daniel Oketa Otim.
Technical Bench: Michael Wandera (team manager), Tolbert Onyango (head coach), Allan Seamus Otim (S&C coach), Samuel Asiimwe Rwakijuma (physiotherapist).

The four non-travelling reserves will be on standby during the two rounds and will await their turn in the forthcoming rounds in Krakow and (potentially) Los Angeles.

Non-travelling Reserves: 13 Humphrey Ndahura Aina, 14 Stuart Michael Mwayi*, 15 Julius Opio, 16 Arthur Opio Thomas*.

The two rounds of the 7s Challenger in Cape Town will be played at the Athlone Stadium. For the first round from March 1-2, Uganda is in Pool C with Brazil and Samoa.