Uganda Women’s 7s national team have won the silver medal at the 2025 Safari 7s in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Lady Rugby Cranes 7s lost to archrivals Kenya Lionesses by 14-10 in the women’s main cup final, a repeat of an earlier meeting in the round-robin phase.
It was a high octane match where both teams challenged each other on attack and defence to the delight of fans in attendance at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Uganda’s unconverted tries in the final were scored by Comfort Anganyika and Lydia Namabiro
Despite the Lionesses being reduced to six players towards full-time, the Lady Rugby Cranes failed to breach their defence and the trophy was decided by a knock forward.
In total, the Lady Rugby Cranes played six matches and won four – both losses to Kenya Lionesses, finishing the tournament as Uganda’s best performing team.
Uganda Women’s Results:
• Round One: Uganda 12-10 Belgium
• Round Two: Uganda 34-12 Tunisia
• Round Three: Kenya Lionesses 17-05 Uganda
• Cup QF: Uganda 34-00 Kenya Cubs
• Cup SF: Uganda 17-12 Costa Blanca Barbarians
• Cup Final: Kenya Lionesses 14-10 Uganda
On the other hand, their male counterparts Uganda Men’s 7s laboured to a Challenge Trophy in the placements matches.
The Rugby Cranes 7s beat Reunion, 26-15, in the Challenge Trophy (ninth place playoff) final.
Uganda Men’s 7s Results:
• Round One: Nyati 24-14 Uganda
• Round Two: KCB 40-14 Uganda
• Round Three: Shogun 35-14 Uganda
• Challenge Trophy SF: Uganda 19-10 Apache
• Challenge Trophy Final: Uganda 26-15 Reunion
Meanwhile, Walukuba Barbarians faced it rough in their first tournament as 2025 national 7s series champions. They lost all their matches and were left stuck with the wooden spoon.
However, this trip has provided them with valuable experiences to carry back home and become a bigger force to reckon with on the local scene.
Walukuba Barbarians Results:
• Round One: Kenya Shujaa 55-00 Walukuba
• Round Two: UK Select 41-26 Walukuba
• Round Three: French Renegades 38-21 Walukuba
• Challenge Trophy SF: Reunion 50-00 Walukuba
Overall, the tournament was won by the hosts’ senior teams; Kenya Shujaa and Kenya Lionesses were the men’s and women’s champions respectively.
On a sad note, Belgium Women’s head coach Warren Abrahams died on the evening of Friday, October 10, during the tournament.
Belgium withdrew from the tournament following his shocking passing. Abrahams, 43, has been described by colleagues, friends and opponents as a passionate and dedicated man in rugby and his personal life. May his soul rest in peace.
