It can generally be agreed that Uganda has gone all out for the 2025 Safari 7s. Unlike previous editions when Uganda fielded “emerging” and “academy” sides, this time both the men’s and women’s teams appear to be the best available and strongest options for the country.
Charles Onen’s team has plenty of prior 7s tour experience as he looks ahead to the Rugby Africa Women’s 7s scheduled for mid-November.
Uganda Women’s Team for the 2025 Safari 7s Tournament:
1. Lydia Namabiro
2. Yvonne Najjuma
3. Fazira Namukwaya
4. Suzan Adong
5. Grace Nabaggala
6. Juliet Nandawula
7. Sandra Amoli Lona
8. Tina Akello
9. Comfort Anganyika
10. Racheal Mufuwa
11. Janat Nandudu
12. Agnes Nakuya (captain)
Uganda’s best finish at the Safari 7s remains the Cup victory at the RFUEA Grounds in 2023.
Participating Teams:
1. Belgium
2. Shogun
3. Tunisia
4. Zimbabwe
5. Uganda
6. Kenya Cubs
7. Kenya Lionesses
8. Costa Blanca Barbarians (defending champions)
Allan Otim, in his first assignment as caretaker head coach of the men’s team, is not the only first-timer on the squad list. Five players, Julius Oyuk, Shakim Ssembusi, Ivan Bulima, Fat Moses Watmon, and Jeremiah Ojambo, will make their 7s debut tours in Nairobi.
Uganda Men’s Team for the 2025 Safari 7s Tournament:
1. Allan Olango
2. Roy Kizito
3. Patrick Okello
4. Gift Wokorach
5. Jones Kamiza
6. Daniel Otim
7. Julius Oyuk*
8. Shakim Ssembusi*
9. Ivan Bulima*
10. Fat Moses Watmon*
11. Jeremiah Ojambo*
12. Karim Arinaitwe (captain)
Uganda has never gone higher than the bronze medal in the men’s competition at the Safari 7s.
* Debutants
Participating Teams:
1. Apache Rugby
2. French Renegades
3. Reunion
4. Zimbabwe
5. Zambia
6. UK Select
7. Shogun
8. Walukuba Barbarians
9. Uganda
10. KCB RFC
11. Kenya Morans
12. Kenya Shujaa (defending champions)
The 2025 tournament will be the twenty-seventh edition of the Safari 7s and will be played at Nyayo National Stadium from October 10–12.
