Uganda Lady Cranes have named their provisional squad for the 2025 Rugby Africa Women’s 7s Championship, with head coach Charles Cyphus Onen banking on experience and team chemistry to improve on last year’s third-place finish in Accra, Ghana.
The tournament, set for November 15–16 at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, will see Uganda take on the continent’s top sides, including record champions South Africa and hosts Kenya.
Onen has retained the 12 players who featured at the recent Safari 7s, where Uganda finished runners-up, while recalling a few who missed the trip.
The big news is the return of former captain Peace Lekuru, the hard-hitting forward who has been plying her trade in England’s Betfred Women’s Super League with York Valkyrie.
Lekuru’s comeback is a huge boost for the side. The versatile back-rower, who switched to rugby league last year, impressed abroad, scoring several tries and earning a Try of the Season nomination at York’s end of year awards.
Her leadership and physicality are expected to add bite to Uganda’s pack alongside Yvonne Najjuma, Fazira Namukwaya, Lydia Namabiro, and Grace Nabaggala.
While it’s unclear if Lekuru will reclaim the captaincy or play a mentoring role behind skipper Agnes Nakuya and her deputy Namabiro, her presence alone has lifted spirits in camp.
“We have a group that understands each other well,” said coach Onen during the Safari 7s
With the squad free of major injuries and morale high after their Safari 7s performance, the Lady Cranes are quietly confident of breaking into the top two and perhaps challenging for the continental crown when action kicks off in Nairobi.
Provisional Squad
Agnes Nakuya (Captain), Lydia Namabiro (Vice Captain), Yvonne Najjuma, Fazira Namukwaya, Suzan Adong, Grace Nabaggala, Juliet Nandawula, Sandra Lona Amoli, Tina Akello, Comfort Anganyika, Racheal Mufuwa, Janat Nandudu, Samiya Ayikoru, Maimuna Nassozi, Nambozo Mastula, Peace Lekuru, Unity Namulala, Esther Tino.
