Uganda men’s and women’s 7s national teams will participate in the 2024 Willem Strauss International Rugby 7s tournament from September 6-8. Uganda was invited to the tournament which will be played at Hoërskool Nylstroom, Modimolle north of Pretoria in South Africa.
“We are honoured to receive this invitation to the Willem Strauss International Rugby 7s tournament and look forward to having our teams participate,” Uganda Rugby CEO Isaac Lutwama Nsubuga said.
Two teams of twelve each will represent Uganda during this tournament in the men’s and women’s international (top-tier) divisions. The other participating countries are Zimbabwe and hosts, South Africa.
Women: 1 Grace Nabaggala (Kisubi Lady Pacers), 2 Gertrude Kateesa (Kisubi Lady Pacers), 3 Tina Akello (Nile Rapids), 4 Unity Namulala (Nile Rapids), 5 Mastula Nambozo (Mbale Eagles), 6 Esther Tino (Mbale Eagles), 7 Lydia Namabiro (Black Pearls), 8 Ritta Nadunga (Black Pearls), 9 Grace Auma (Black Pearls), 10 Agnes Nakuya (Thunderbirds), 11 Janat Nandudu (Thunderbirds), 12 Peace Lekuru (Avengers).Men: 1 Allan Olango (Rhinos), 2 Alex Aturinda (Pirates), 3 Pius Ogena (KOBs), 4 Mark Osuna (KOBs), 5 Mubarak Wandera (Pirates), 6 Robin Odrua (Mongers), 7 Malcolm Okello (Heathens), 8 Aaron Tukei (Buffaloes), 9 Karim Arinaitwe (KOBs), 10 William Lukwago (KOBs), 11 Nobert Okeny (Heathens), 12 Denis Etwau (Heathens).
The invitation to the Willem Strauss International 7s is yet another collaboration between URU and the Blue Bulls; aimed at supporting Uganda’s preparations for the national teams to compete internationally. Willem Strauss is the president of Blue Bulls Rugby Union.
“This is a significant opportunity for our teams to compete at a high level, and gain valuable experience, as we look forward.”
The women are weeks away from embarking on their 2024-25 international season. Their Safari 7s defence will be on October 11-13 in Nairobi, and two weeks later from October 26-27 to November 2-3, they will be in Tunisia for the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s.
Although the men are also expected to participate in the Safari 7s, their season does not officially begin until the 2025 World Rugby HSBC 7s Challenger, whose calendar has not yet been released.
The travelling players will miss the fourth round of the 2024 Nile Special 7s Series in Gulu but will return home in time to take part in the Kyabazinga 7s next weekend.
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