The 2022 National Sevens Series champions Jinja Hippos will begin their title defence at home on the first weekend of July.
Hippos win first major title in ten-year history
Damwaters Rugby Club, their home ground, will host the first of seven circuits in the 2023 Nile Special Sevens Series. The other circuits will be hosted in Kitgum, Wakiso, Tooro, Kampala, and Tororo.
The new venues on the calendar this year are Kitgum and Tororo which will host the second and penultimate rounds respectively.
For the first time in history, all circuits will be two-day as Uganda completes the transition to international competition standards. There will be a week’s break after every two circuits which will spread the series over two months from July to September.
Rhinos Rugby Club will return to the series as a core side after beating Elgon Wolves in last year’s qualifier tournament at Wankulukuku Stadium. They replace Walukuba Barbarians who were relegated.
How Walukuba Barbarians got relegated
Although they last won the series title a decade ago in 2013, Heathens remains the most successful club in the competition since its inception in 2001. They have won it eleven times. Kobs follows at a distance with six titles while Impis, Buffaloes, Pirates and Hippos have won it just once.
The series finale will be held on September 2-3 at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe.
Nile Special 7s Series 2023 Calendar
| Event Name | Date | Host Venue | |
| 1 | Jinja 7s | July 1-2 | Damwaters Rugby Club, Jinja |
| 2 | Kitgum 7s | July 8-9 | Boma Grounds, Kitgum |
| 3 | Rujumba 7s | July 22-23 | Kings Park Stadium, Bweyogerere |
| 4 | Tooro 7s | July 29-30 | Buhinga Stadium, Fort Portal |
| 5 | Kyadondo 7s | August 12-13 | Kyadondo Rugby Club, Lugogo |
| 6 | Tororo 7s | August 19-20 | Tororo Rugby Club, Tororo |
| 7 | Kyabazinga 7s | September 2-3 | Bugembe Stadium, Bugembe |