There is a new look to the Uganda teams that will be playing at this year’s Safari Sevens. The men’s team who will be coached by Allan Otim will be captained by Karim Arinaitwe and has players selected from the recently ended national circuit.

Regular players who have been the mainstay of the team in top competitions are missing in what is seen as an effort to re-build the team. Before stepping down as coach, Tolbert Onyango had initiated a program to develop new players.

His replacement Otim has followed this script. The team has: Allan Olango, Roy Kizito, Jeremiah Ojambo, Moses Watmon, Patrick Okello, Ivan Bulima, Karim Arinaitwe (captain), Gift Wokorach, Jones Kamiza, Shakim Ssembusi, Daniel Otim, and Julius Ayuk. Officials: Allan Otim (coach), Michael Wandera (team manager), Samwel Asiimwe (team doctor).

Same Message

The same message has been relayed to the women’s team  where Charles ‘Bishop’ Onen – the head coach – and his assistant Ssebalamu Kigongo have several new players who have been knocking on the doors. The new players have a chance to put their hands up for selection for the Africa Cup tournament in November.

Agnes Nakuya captains the women’s team with Lydia Namabiro as her assistant. Others are: Yvonne Naijuma, Fazira Namukwaya, Susan Adong, Grace Nabagala, Juliet Nandawula, Sandra Amoli Lona, Tina Okello, Comfort Anganyika, Rachel Mufuwa, and Janat Nandudu. Officials: Charles Onen (head coach), Ssebalamu Kigongo (assistant coach), Winnie Atyang (team manager), Nelson Mayeku (team doctor).

National Circuit Winners

Included in the Uganda contingent are Walukuba Barbarians largely made up of players who won the club national circuit. The Jinja-based club, a version of Kenya’s Kabras, will be coached by Leonard Lubambula. 

The team has: Ahmed Ssekyanzi, Musa Farid, Alphonse Otieno, Shafiq Manisur, Yasin Wasswa, Mathew Oluka, Alphonse Openy, Bob Kawanda, Edward Emiemu, Brian Wandera, Stuart Mwayi, and Godwin Abwang. Management: Leonard Lubambula (coach), Elton Mulonde (team manager), Philip Epau (team doctor).

Uganda will also be bringing two under-17 teams. Girls: Gladys Otim, Irene Nasinja, Takiya Nalubwama, Sunday Anirwoth, Lilian Ageno, Maureen Giramia, Proscovia Akello, Abubakar Nasula, Rose Buwala, Gloria Ajalo, Sarah Atim, Mercy Nakanda, and Phildah Adanzi. Officials: Norah Tranton Nyangoma (coach), Brendah Nansubuga (team manager), Cathay Amanya (team doctor).

Boys: Tyrone James Ssebufu, Timothy Mawanda, John Derrick Kalungi, Ibrahim Sebbi Rayan, Moses Akena, Ivan Longa, Innocent Kakanyero, Jeremiah Iragaba, Sharif Ssekiwu, Afani Angoliga, Okwi Emmanuel Mboti, and Morgan Ahebwa. Officials: Sky Peter Ochol (coach), Solomon Aryampa Goddette (team manager), Rajab Musa (team doctor).