As Uganda rugby faithful descend upon Jinja for the National Rugby Sevens calendar opening weekend, the twenty teams have named their finest to ensure a pristine account opening.
Defending champions Hippos have named a next-to-full-strength side, with their top performers all turning up save for Tawfiq Bagalana, who is mourning the loss of his dear father (May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace).
Isaac Rujumba, who missed the better part of the 2022 Sevens edition, returns to the squad alongside the reigning Sevens MVP Timothy Mugisha and the evergreen speedster Etwau Dennis.
National team impressors Jacob Ochen and John Eceru will also be lining up for hosts.
Haruna Muhammad and Jonathan Luhoni Return
Fresh off a Premiership win, the Pirates have named a strong squad to challenge the Hippos to stand at the top.
Renowned dummy vendor Haruna Muhammad returns to the game alongside Commonwealth, Rugby Sevens world cup stars and African champions Desire Ayera, Timothy Kisiga, William Nkore, Alex Aturinda, and Isaac Massa.
The Pirates will be covered as regards speed, with the services of Safe Boda Arnold Atukunda packed and on the road to Jinja.
The Impis will be overjoyed after Luhoni Jonathan is named on the team to sail the Dam Waters in Jinja.
The last time Luhoni featured for the Impis, he made it to the Sevens team of the season. A well-rested Nsekuye Henry is good news for Impis, as he inspired the team to the most wins in a 15s season they’ve had in recent history.
The Impis engine room will be roving with the inclusion of Asimire, Mpoza, Ssedyabane and Kennedy Muhumuza.
Charlotte Mudoola Returns to Women’s Sevens
The finest of women’s sevens will be on show in Jinja as the best tussle it out alongside their brothers.
The Black Pearls have named a full-strength squad headlined by Amsterdam 7s traveler Charlotte Mudoola who will be looking to share some notes gathered from ASBC’s Philip Wokorach.
Charlotte will have the experience and wisdom of coach-player Helen Buteme close to her as they partner in the playmakers’ positions.
Speed will not be an issue for the Pearls, as Emily Lekuru will be suiting up this weekend too.
Namugga Faith captains a ferocious Avengers squad that is out for blood and retribution against the team to beat, Black Pearls.
Nemira Peace, Akello Rebecca and Apio Jane will be making their competitive debuts for the Avengers this weekend.
CONFIRMED SQUADS:
Avengers: 1. Namugga faith(C) 2. Akello Christine 3. Akello Rebecca* 4. Apio Jane* 5. Nalujja Aminah 6. Kirabo Naigga 7. Kirabo Cabrine 8. Namukwaya fazira 9. Nemira Peace* 10. Babirye Florence 11. Nakubulway Getrude Ketra 12. Kemigisha Brenda 13. Munduru Mercy
Black Pearls: 1. Bushira Namutebi 2. Charlotte Mudoola 3. Emilly Lekuru © 4. Emmanuella Oroma 5. Faith Museme 6. Gilder Azikuru 7. Helen Buteme 8. Hellen Acanit 9. Leona Acen 10. Peace Mirembe 11. Yvonne Namatovu 12. Christine Kokoi 13. Nancy Akwero
Jinja Hippos: 1. Rujumba Isaac 2. Andrew Odhiambo 3. Jacob Ochen 4. Aziz Bagalana 5. Yasin Waswa 6. Owen Mugogo 7. Bruno Kisule 8. Opio Julius 9. Wako David 10. Timothy Mugisha 11. Etwau Denis 12. Echeru John 13. Syliver Ken
Buffaloes: 1 Gerald Ssewankambo 2. Atooke Aroon 3. Seguya Wilfred 4. Liam Walker 5. Ebau Daniel 6. Ivan Odoch 7. Douglas Musoke 8. Jimmy Katumba 9. Agany Solomon 10. Ivan Odhiambo 11. Teko Joseph 12. Katerega Daniel 13. Aaron Tukei
Pirates: 1. Alex Aturinda 2. Desire Ayera 3. Isaac Massangazira 4. Mubarak Wandera 5. Sydney Gongodyo 6. Muhammed Haruna 7. Conrad Wanyama 8. William Nkore 9. Jones Kamiza 10. Timothy Kisiga 11. Arnold Atukunda 12. Solomon Banaawa 13. Douglas Komakech
KOBs: 1. Byron Oketayot 2. Derrick Tukwasibwe 3. Pius Ogena 4. Makumbi Simon 5. Manano Alhaji (C) 6. Faragi Odugo 7. Ijongat James 8. Kyewalabye Felix 9. Osuna Mark 10. Karim Arinaitwe 11. Justin Kimono 12. Josiah Ssempeke 13. Aredo Joseph
Barbarians: 1. Bob Kawanda 2.Denis Ikendi 3. Edward Emiemu 4. Ahmad Ssekyanzi 5. Gift Wokorach 6. Ivan Bulima 7. Shakim Ssembusi 8. Mark Azima 9. Livingstone Ssengendo 10. Oluka Mathew 11. Denis Wakate 12. Alphonse Otieno 13. Araphat Lubega
Rhinos: 1. Allan Olango © 2. Thembo Jeremy 3. Arnold Ocen 4. Pool Kalungi 5. Arthur Opio 6. Shimwa Davis 7. Godwin Abwang 8. Lutwama Alvin 9. Kwebikanga Emmanuel 10. Kirabo Ivan 11. Kinyera Owen 12. Kinyera Emmanuel 13. Musasizi Joshua
Mongers: 1.Serumaga Andrew 2. Cheche Morgan © 3. Papi Joel 4. Lukwago William (VC) 5. Edgar Kairu 6. Xavier Otaala 7. Robin Odrua(vc) 8. Mugisha Josephat 9. Kene Anderson 10. Ibrahim shatiff 11. Benue Twijukye (VC) 12. Dylan Ssewankambo 13. James Mwesige
Impis: 1. Amos Asiimile 2. Godfrey Ayebale 3. Jonathan Luhoni 4. Pius Mpoza 5. Emmanuel Ssedyabane 6. Roy Kizito 7. Jerome Tasiku 8. Robert Ssentongo 9. Henry Nsekuye 10. Kennedy Muhumuza © 11. David Diciri 12. Allan Kyagulanyi 13. Kennedy Owor
Rams: 1.Kenneth Okong 2. Brian Wandera 3. Marvin Mugambe 4. Edrine Obbo 5. Ryan Jjuko 6. Hashim Kabogoza © 7. Hossana Epillenni. 8. Elia Lwanga 9. Michael Kalyango 10. Bakali Muhoozi 11. Reagan Mungu 12. Boaz Musasizi 13. Paul Omuna.
Warriors: 1. Elias Kalyango 2. Joel Feta 3. Wasswa Timothy 4. George Rwoth 5. Lameriga Isaac 6. William Mucunguzi 7. Badru Seninde 8. Latif Abdhalah 9. Blaise Kawule 10. Charles Olam 11. Patrick Ochan 12. Richard Kinyai 13.
Heathens: 1. Lawrence Sebuliba 2. Claude Otema 3. Innocent Gwokto 4. Jospeh Oyet 5. Micheal Amollo 6. Trevor Ochan 7. Steven Kalema 8. Nobert Okenyi 9. Aaron Ofoworth 10. Emma Ochan 11. Nicolas Kato 12. Micheal Wokorach 13. Sulaiman Ngobi
Courtesy Photos
