Uganda has retained six players who featured at the Rugby Africa 7’s championship, a qualifier for the Africa zone of the next World Rugby Sevens 3 as they head to Nairobi for the annual Safari Sevens..
There is a change of the captain with Ivan Bulima replacing Ian Munyani while Karim Arinaitwe has been named as an assistant captain. Besides Arinaitwe, Allan Onyango, Shakim Ssembusi, Malcolm Okello, Aaron Tukei, and Daniel Otim have been retained from the World Rugby 3 qualifier squad.
The continuity sees Allan Otim, the head coach keeping faith with two top try scorers at the qualifier. They are Daniel Otim and Malcolm Okello who scored five tries each. Uganda have been drawn in a tough Pool A that has Shujaa, Scotland, and Fast Forwards 7s.
Region’s Flag
Together with the Lady Cranes, Uganda are keen to fly the region’s flag at the annual event. Lady Cranes have a solid squad coached by Charles Onen and captained by Grace Auma. The withdrawal of Costa Blanca Barbarians from Spain has created room for South Africa Tuks who won the inaugural women’s category at Mauritius Sevens last weekend. The women’s category will be played in a round robin format.
Hosts Kenya will field two teams in the men’s competition with Shujaa as the top seeds while Kenya Morans who clinched the Mauritius Sevens are seeded third and drawn in Pool C. Zimbabwe who qualified for the World Rugby Sevens 3 after beating Uganda are also in Pool C.
Safari Sevens Draw
Men
Pool A: Kenya, Uganda, Fast Forwards 7s, Scotland.
Pool B: Shogun, French Renegades, Southern California Nomads, Wellington Jaguars
Pool C: Kenya Morans, Zimbabwe, Gel Squad 7s, Wonder 7s
Order of play
Friday: Zimbabwe v Wonder 7’s, Kenya Morans v Gel Squad 7s, French Renegades v Wellington Jaguars, Shogun v Southern California Nomads, Uganda v Scotland, Kenya Shujaa v Forward Legends.
Saturday: Zimbabwe v Gel Squad 7s, Kenya Morans v Wonder 7s, French Renegades v Southern California Nomads, Shogun v Wellington Jaguars, Uganda v Forward Legends, Kenya Shujaa v Scotland, Gel Squad 7s v Wonder 7s, Southern California Nomads v Wellington Jaguars, Forward Legends v Scotland, Kenya Morans v Zimbabwe, Shogun v French Renegades, Kenya Shujaa v Uganda.
Women: Kenya Lionesses, Uganda, Kenya Cubs, Tunisia, South Africa Tuks, Junior Lionesses
Order of play
Friday: Kenya Cubs v Tunisia, Uganda v South Africa Tuks, Kenya Lionesses v Junior Lionesses
Saturday: Junior Lionesses v Tunisia, Uganda v Kenya Cubs, Kenya Lionesses v South Africa Tuks.
Sunday: South Africa Tuks v Kenya Cubs, Junior Lionesses v Uganda, Kenya Lionesses v Tunisia.
Squads
Uganda: Ivan Bulima (captain), Karim Arinaitwe (vice captain), Yasin Waiswa, Allan Olango, Watmon Fat Moses, Daniel Otim, Malcolm Okello, Patrick Okello, Shakim Ssembusi, Aaron Tukei, Darren Aine, Alphones Openy, Yusus Ssemakula.
Officials: Allan Otim (head coach), Samuel Asimwe (physiotherapist), Michael Wandera (team manager).
Lady Cranes: Grace Nabaggala, Susan Odong, Lydia Namabiro, Getrude Kateesa, Justine Anguchia, Sarah Kirabo, Matsula Namboozo, Bushira Namutebi, Tina Akello (assistant captain), Rachael Mufuwa, Latifah Tiko, Grace Auma (captain).
Officials: Charles Onen (coach), Nelson Mayeku (physiotherapist), Winnie Atyang (team manager), Ssebalamu Kigongo (strength and conditioning).
