The Uganda Rugby Cranes have embarked on a crucial Southern Africa tour as they gear up for the Rugby Africa Cup 2025, which will be hosted at the renovated Namboole Stadium. This tournament is vital—it also serves as a qualification pathway to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The tour, lasting two weeks, includes matches and high-performance training sessions. It began with the team’s departure for Windhoek, Namibia. There, Uganda faces the Welwitschias in a test match scheduled for Saturday. This match will serve as the first real challenge in testing the Cranes’ readiness.
After Namibia, the Uganda Rugby Cranes will travel to Nylstroom, South Africa. From June 16 to 19, they will attend a five-day elite training camp. This session is in partnership with the prestigious Blue Bulls franchise. Such a collaboration enhances the team’s exposure to world-class facilities and coaching methods.
Following that, Uganda will play the Limpopo Blue Bulls on June 21. The action then moves to Nelspruit, where the team will stay from June 23 to 26. On June 27, the Cranes will face the Pumas, a formidable opponent from South Africa’s Currie Cup Premier Division. Notably, the Pumas were champions in 2022 and runners-up in 2023.
Coach Fred Mudoola has named a 36-man squad for this mission. The first group of 24 players is already in Namibia, while the remaining 12 will join them during the South African leg. According to Mudoola, this arrangement allows for better squad rotation and focused preparation.
This tour is more than just friendly matches—it’s the final tune-up before Uganda’s quarterfinal clash against regional rivals Kenya. Last year, Uganda narrowly lost 22-20 to Zimbabwe, a result they hope to avoid repeating. Kenya, on the other hand, finished fourth after falling to Malawi in the bronze match.
The winner between Uganda and Kenya will face the victor of the clash between Morocco and defending champions Zimbabwe. Therefore, each step of the tour is critical. It gives players a chance to sharpen skills and build cohesion before the high-stakes match in July.
The Uganda Rugby Union, aware of the pressure, has partnered with top-tier organizations to ensure optimal preparation. For example, collaborating with the Blue Bulls has brought world-class training techniques into the fold. Furthermore, the players will gain valuable experience facing competitive southern African teams.
Uganda’s squad consists of seasoned forwards like Pius Ogena and Frank Kidega, along with backs such as Joseph Aredo Jadwong and Liam Christopher Walker. The team blends youth and experience, aiming to strike a balance between agility and power.
Beyond competition, this tour fosters discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking. It also highlights Uganda’s ambition to rise in global rugby rankings. If the Uganda Rugby Cranes qualify for the World Cup, it would be a historic achievement for the country.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on how the Cranes use this tour to elevate their game. The pressure is high, but so is the hope among fans and officials. With the right mindset, this tour could be the spark Uganda needs for continental and global success.
