Uganda Rugby Union (URU) officially launched its national safeguarding programme, U-SAFE, during the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup qualifiers on July 8 at Namboole Stadium, Namboole, a major step towards promoting safety and dignity in Ugandan sport.
U-SAFE, URU’s dedicated safeguarding arm, aims to protect children and vulnerable individuals in rugby. It follows global standards, including the International Safeguards for Children and Adults in Sport, and focuses on prevention, reporting, and response systems.
“This initiative is more than just a campaign, it’s a culture shift,” said Dorothy Nekesa, URU Executive Member and U-SAFEGUARDING Lead. “Signing the World Rugby pledge shows our commitment to creating safe spaces for everyone in the game.”
Though still in early stages, the programme is already taking shape. URU has enrolled members of its safeguarding and tournament teams in internationally accredited courses developed with the Open University and backed by World Rugby. Some have completed training; others are still undergoing it, building the foundation for a lasting safeguarding structure.
The launch emphasized awareness and education during Africa Cup matches and will now extend to all URU events, beginning with the upcoming National 7s series.
“This is a foundational moment,” Nekesa said. “It may be a soft launch, but it sends a strong message: protection, respect, and accountability matter. We hope this encourages other federations across Africa to act.”
With U-SAFE, Uganda joins a growing movement to make sport safer across the continent.
