A landmark week for women’s rugby in Uganda is reaching its final whistle today, as the AFD-Rugby Africa Women’s Rugby Development Courses come to a close at Kabira Country Club in Kampala.
This week-long training camp, which kicked off on June 5, brought together 30 women from across the country for a deep dive into coaching, refereeing, and administration — all under one roof.
The initiative is part of a broader continental push to grow women’s rugby across Africa.
Led by the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) with backing from the French Development Agency (AFD), Rugby Africa, and the French Rugby Federation (FFR), the program aims to empower women with the skills and leadership to shape the future of the sport in their regions.
The refereeing course, which ran from June 5 to 12, featured a standout group of five participants from Mbale: Nashuha Zauma, Nakami Judith, Nabulwala Agatha, Nandudu Monica, and Namwamba Rebecca.
These women, along with others from all corners of Uganda, have spent the past week immersed in practical drills, classroom learning, and hands-on officiating, guided by international referee Paul-Hugo Ramain, who was flown in by the FFR.
And it wasn’t just refereeing. The program also featured coaching sessions led by Auréline Bouthier and an administration module facilitated by Jerome. Each segment was packed with tools and techniques aimed at building stronger rugby structures at the grassroots.
This initiative, which was officially launched at the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France, is about much more than technical training. It positions rugby as a force for social cohesion, gender inclusion, and community development.
According to URU President Godwin Kayangwe, the program “aligns perfectly with URU’s mission to strengthen women’s rugby and build capacity at grassroots and regional levels.”
URU General Secretary Peter Odong emphasized that the effort goes beyond the field: “We’re not just training referees or coaches. We’re building leaders — women who will take the game forward in every part of Uganda.”
The participants also took part in a special “Get Into Rugby” outreach held on June 8 at Kyadondo Rugby Club, where they helped introduce the sport to children from disadvantaged communities.
The day was filled with fun drills, teamwork, and an emphasis on the sport’s core values like respect, inclusion, and discipline.
