Rugby Africa Women’s Cup (Pool C) – Kampala, Uganda

• Wednesday, July 14: Uganda vs. Zimbabwe – 1:00pm
• Sunday, July 18: Zimbabwe vs. Uganda – 1:00pm

Uganda’s squad for the first of two Rugby Africa Women’s Cup test matches against Zimbabwe Women Sables has been named.

Four players will be making their debuts as starters – vice-captain Patricia Anek, Sarah Kirabo, Angella Nanyonjo, and Emilly Lekuru – while four others – Fazila Namukwaya, Lyton Nakabugo, Maimuna Nassozi, and Suzan Adong – could earn theirs off the bench.

Yvonne Najjuma and Faith Namugga bring the experience into the frontrow while at the second row, former captain Winnie Atyang will guide debutant Kirabo to provide stability in the set pieces. Lydia Namabiro will be at the base of the scrum.

Julie Nandawula and Charlotte Mudoola form the halfback pairing while the midfield combination will be a Lekuru party with Peace and Emily. Samiya Ayikoru will man the backfield at full-back with Agnes Nakuya and Grace Auma at the wings.

Uganda Lady Rugby Cranes Squad (* for Debutant)

• Forwards: 1 Patricia Anek* (vice-captain), 2 Yvonne Najjuma, 3 Faith Namugga, 4 Winnie Atyang, 5 Sarah Kirabo*, 6 Angella Nanyonjo*, 7 Mary Gloria Ayot, 8 Lydia Namabiro
• Backs: 9 Julie Nandawula, 10 Charlotte Mudoola (vice-captain), 11 Agnes Nakuya, 12 Peace Lekuru (C), 13 Emily Lekuru*, 14 Grace Auma, 15 Samiya Ayikoru
• Reserves: 16 Fazila Namukwaya*, 17 Peace Mirembe, 18 Lyton Nakabugo*, 19 Teddy Iwutung, 20 Maimuna Nassozi*, 21 Asha Nakityo, 22 Masitula Namboozo, 23 Suzan Adong*

Uganda Rugby Cranes defeated Ghana Eagles 53-12 in the 2021 Rugby Africa Cup Pool C opener on Saturday at Kyadondo.

The Ugandans scored eight tries against the Eagles in a game that doubles as a 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifier.

Hooker Faraj Odugo got Rugby Cranes on the scoreboard as early as the third minute of the game that the hosts dominated all afternoon. Team captain Ivan Magomu missed the conversion and relinquished the duties to Man of the Match Adrian Kasito who converted three tries and a penalty.

Ghana struggled at set-pieces (scrums and lineouts) the entire game and Uganda took full advantage. They conceded the second and third tries from scrums with Solomon Okia and Brian Odong the scorers.

As the first half neared the end, the Eagles caught the Ugandans off-guard and scored a couple of tries in succession courtesy of Myles Scott and Josiah Twum-Boafo. The Ugandans, however, quickly responded before halftime with Ayera getting on the scoresheet, and the Rugby Cranes went to the break leading 29-12.

In the second half, it was all Uganda with substitutes Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Ronald Kanyanya joining the try part as Ayera and Okia completed their doubles.

Ghana will have little time to regroup as they face Algeria on Wednesday, 14th July while Uganda will have a week-long rest before taking on the North Africans on Sunday, 18th July.

• 2021 Rugby Africa Cup (Pool C) – Kampala, Uganda
• Saturday, July 10: Uganda vs. Ghana – 3:00pm, Kyadondo Rugby Club

Uganda’s 23-man team for the Rugby Africa Cup Pool C opening tie against Ghana Eagles has been named.

The squad includes three debutants one of whom, Kelvin Balagadde, will start at the blindside flank. Mark Omoding who plies plays for Kenya Harlequin and Heathens’ Claude Otema are the other two freshmen.

Santos Senteza will partner with Brian Odongo for an experienced front-row that has the rising hooker Faraji Odugo while Robert Aziku and Eliphaz Emong lock out the second row. The entire backrow is made up of National Sevens players in Balagadde, Byron Oketayot, and Desire Ayera.

Paul Epilo and Ivan Magomu are the halfback pairing while club teammates Pius Ogena and Justin Kimono will combine in the midfield. The backfield will be manned by Daudi Semwami, Solomon Okia, and Adrian Kasito.

Coaches Brian Makalama and Robert Musinguzi have opted for a 5-3 split among the reserves. Saul Kivumbi, Collins Kimbowa, and Ronald Kanyanya will certainly be coming off the bench for the front row while Aaron Ofoywroth will provide cover for the halfbacks.

The match, and the rest that will be played during this tournament, will be broadcast live on Kawowo Sports YouTube channel.

Uganda 23-man Squad (* for debutants)

Forwards: 1 Santos Senteza, 2 Faraji Odugo, 3 Brian Odongo (vice-captain), 4 Robert Aziku, 5 Eliphaz Emong, 6 Kelvin Balagadde*, 7 Byron Oketayot, 8 Desire Ayera.

Backs: 9 Paul Epillo (vice-captain), 10 Ivan Magomu (captain), 11 Daudi Semwami, 12 Pius Ogena, 13 Justin Kimono, 14 Solomon Okia, 15 Adrian Kasito.

Reserves: 16 Ronald Kanyanya, 17 Saul Kivumbi, 18 Collins Kimbowa, 19 Jacob Ochen, 20 Mark Omoding*, 21 Aaron Ofoywroth, 22 Maxwell Ebonga, 23 Claude Otema*.

Ivan Magomu has been named captain of the Uganda Rugby Cranes.

The Uganda Rugby Union made the announcement on Tuesday through their Twitter handle.

The silky flyhalf will be assisted by former Rugby Cranes captain Brian Odongo and Heathens RFC captain Paul Epilo. Their first assignment will be to fly the Rugby Cranes steadily through their first post-COVID tournament – the 2021 Rugby Africa Cup.

Meet the new @RugbyCranes Captains. #UgandaRugby #AfricaAsOne #RugbyAfricaCup pic.twitter.com/z5p6SGl9YO

— Uganda Rugby Union (@UgandaRugby) July 5, 2021

The Black Pirates Rugby Club captain takes over the responsibility from Asuman Mugerwa and Brian Asaba who led the team in their last test matches during the 2019 Elgon Cup.

Mugerwa was named on the 28-man squad for the Africa Cup that kicks off this weekend at Kyadondo which gives the Rugby Cranes a sufficient supply of leadership for the tournament.

Uganda will play against Ghana and Algeria in the tournament which serves as a qualifier for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Following a number of positive COVID-19 results during scheduled arrival testing, the Uganda Men’s Sevens national team has been withdrawn from the World Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Repechage tournament.

The tournament is scheduled for 18th-20th June at the Stade Louis II Stadium in Monaco, France.

“All Uganda players have been in strict isolation since arrival, and the delegation will continue to follow the isolation quarantine process as determined by the Monaco authorities’ public health guidelines,” a statement from World Rugby reads.

Consequently, in line with tournament rules, all pool stage matches involving Uganda will be recorded as a bye for their opponents in Pool B. The remaining Pool B teams are France, Chile, Hong Kong, and Jamaica.

Uganda national sevens team head coach Tolbert Onyango has named the team that will compete at the Olympic Repechage from June 18-20.

The Olympic Repechage, which is the final qualification tournament in which two women’s and one men’s team will book their slot at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, will be played at Stade Louis II.

Timothy Kisiga who has been out of the sevens team for a couple of tournaments is back along with Byron Oketayot, Levis Ocen, Nobert Oken, and Solomon Okia.

Usual suspects Philip Wokorach, Michael Wokorach, Ian Munyani, Isaac Massanganzira, Adrian Kasito, Desire Ayera, and Aaron Ofoyrwoth complete the team of twelve.

https://twitter.com/UgandaRugby/status/1402904472934879232

Uganda is grouped in Pool B alongside France, Hong Kong, Chile, and Jamaica. Pool A has Samoa, Ireland, Tonga, Zimbabwe, and Mexico.

With Just one Olympic ticket available, the teams will play against all four opponents in their groups with the top two teams progressing through two knockout stages, culminating in a winner-take-all final.

The Team

Timothy Kisiga, Byron Oketayot, Philip Wokorach, Michael Wokorach, Ian Munyani, Isaac Massa, Adrian Kasito, Desire Ayera, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Solomon Okia, Levis Ocen and Nobert Okeny

Uganda’s Group Fixtures

• Friday, June 18: Uganda vs. Jamaica – 7:00pm, EAT
• Saturday, June 19: Hong Kong vs. Uganda – 11:06am, EAT
• Saturday, June 19: France vs. Uganda – 7:23pm, EAT
• Sunday, June 20: Chile vs. Uganda – 2:39pm, EAT

Uganda Rugby Cranes training squad ahead of the 2021 XVs international season has been trimmed from the initial seventy-two summoned.

Head coach Brian Makalama and his assistant Robert Musinguzi, on Monday, named thirty-four players that have been retained to continue training as the international season draws closer.

“We have retained determined players who are willing to learn and work as a unit,” Brian Makalama, the head coach, said. “We shall just work on the unit skills and improve on their individual prowess to play,” added.

There are some exciting young players as Josaiah Sempeke and Karimu Arinaitwe still remaining in the squad.

The international season is expected to start in June. Rugby Cranes will play Kenya in the annual Elgon Cup as well as Ghana and Algeria in July in the Rugby Africa Cup 2021 which will also double as a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier.

The 34 Players

1. Aaron Jurua
2. Alhaji Manano
3. Aziz Khan
4. Brian Asaba
5. Brian Odongo
6. Claude Otema
7. Collins Kimbowa
8. Daudi Semwami
9. David Agassi
10. Denis Etwau
11. Eliphaz Emong
12. Faragi Odugo
13. Haruna Muhammad
14. Innocent Gwokto
15. Ivan Kabagambe
16. Ivan Magomu
17. Ivan Odoch
18. Jacob Ocen
19. Joachim Chissano
20. Josiah Sempeke
21. Justin Kimono
22. Karim Arinaitwe
23. Mark Omoding
24. Maxwell Ebonga
25. Nicholas Kato
26. Paul Epilo
27. Robert Aziku
28. Ronald Kanyanya
29. Samuel Wamala
30. Santos Ssenteza
31. Saul Kivumbi
32. Stephen Alul
33. Sunday Jaguar
34. Timothy Odongo

Brian Makalama and Robert Musinguzi have been appointed to take charge of the Uganda Rugby Cranes in the absence of hospitalized head coach Robert Seguya.

The announcement has been made as a summoned training squad of over seventy players get ready for their first session on Saturday morning at Kyadondo Rugby Club.

Makalama assumes the role of head coach and Musinguzi will be his assistant. Musinguzi is the head coach at Black Pirates Rugby Club while for last season while Makalama was providing technical assistance to Buffaloes Rugby Club.

Makalama has said he is curious to see which players will honour the call up and is excited to meet them at the first session.

“It is exciting to meet the group of players on Saturday. I am curious to see who will honour the call-up since that will be our first training session. First sessions are usually challenging because it sets the pace for the rest of our contact,” Makalama said.

On the other hand, Musinguzi has expressed his delight at the opportunity to be chosen to work with the national team.

”It is a huge honour to be chosen to work with the national team. As a coach, the opportunity to work with the top players and coaches in the country is something very exciting. I have worked with Coach Brain Makalama before at club level and I am looking forward to another enjoyable, memorable, and ultimately successful experience with him at the national level,” he said.

Makalama and Musinguzi both donned the precious Uganda Rugby Cranes jersey during their playing days. Makalama was a front-row forward while Musinguzi was a halfback.

With the Nile Special Stout Rugby Premier Leagues done and dusted, the focus for Uganda Rugby Union shifts to the international season.

The fifteens international season starts in next month. Rugby Cranes will play Kenya in the annual Elgon Cup as well as Ghana and Algeria in July in the Rugby Africa Cup 2021 which will also double as a Rugby World Cup 2023 qualifier.

The national team management has summoned 72 players for a training camp that starts on Saturday, May 22 at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds.

Brian Makalama and Pirates head coach Bobby Musinguzi will be in charge of the team.

Summoned Players

Steven Kinyera, Francis Mukundane, Allan Alango, Daniel Nshiyimana, Zachariah Bol,David Agassi, Morgan Odoch, Collins Kimbowa, Saul Kivumbi, Brian Odongo, Wilobo Mukili, Faragi Odugo, Trevor Maina, Jude Juuko, Robert Aziku, Emmaneul Ecodu, Arthur Mpande, Brian Asaba, Aaron Jurua, Josiah Ssempeke, James Ijongat, Derrick Tukwasibwe,Edgar Seruwagi, Justin Kimon, Alhaji Manano, Conrad Mukwaya, Daudi Ssemwami, Karim Arinaitwe,Ivan Kabagambe, Kenneth Matovu, Nathan Bwambale, Sunday Jaguar, Abel Agum, Frank Kidega, Sydney Gongodyo, Moses Ziwa, Isaac Rujumba, Stephen Alul, Conrad Wanyama, Ivan Magomu, Timothy Odongo, Timothy Kisiga, Haruna Muhammad, Amos Asimile, Spencer Muhiirwe, Santos Ssenteze, Ronald Kanyanya , Aziz Khan, Scott Oluoch, Paul Epilo, Jordan Bongomin, Innocent Gwokto, Claude Otema, Sean Mubiru, Peter Bisaso, Jacob Ocen, James Okello, Charles Tomusange, John Echeru, Tawfiq Bagalana, Maxwell Ebonga, Denis Etwau, Aziz Bagalana, Eliphaz Emong, Brian Oroma, Joachim Chissano, Andrew Olweny, Edgar Kairu, David Patrick Ntambazi Semu, Samuel Wamala, Mark Omoding and Nicholas Kato.

For four weeks from mid-April, fourteen women’s teams from the Eastern, Central and Northern regions bounced back to competitive rugby after over a year on the sidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ladies were putting their bodies on the line and showcasing their skills during the Regional 10s rugby tournaments.

It was exciting back-to-back-to-back action from the ladies over three rounds in their respective regions.

Blue Whales and Black Pearls were overall champions from the three rounds in the Central region. Kitgum Queens and Mbale Eagles made a clean sweep of the Northern and Eastern regions respectively.

The two tiers in which the Central Regional championship was played were extremely competitive but it is the second that stole the shine from their seniors. Most of the girls from Blue Whales, Black Diamonds, Lady Swans, Ewes and Acholi Quarters Rugby Academy were playing in their first ever competitive rugby matches, and express themselves did they.

This brought back a feeling of hope and promise of a bright future for the game that is on a revival process in the country.

These tournaments were timely in the post COVID-19 era as the women continue their rise back to the top ranks of the sport in Africa.

Forty three of the top performers from the three rounds of the three regional championships were called up for national team training that has since begun with a week-long camp in Jinja City ahead of the international window.