It usually takes at least two people to lift the Robin Cahill Trophy, a magnificent bronze of two elephants that weighs close to twenty kilograms. But for the Uganda Women’s 7s, nearly half the team joined in that effort.
Because this was the first time in the twenty-six-year history of the Safari 7s tournament that the prestigious trophy would cross the West border into Uganda. It was a memorable moment everyone wanted to be a part of.
Uganda beat defending champions and hosts Kenya Lionesses by 15-12 (10-05 at half-time) in a nail-biting Main Cup Final played under the rain at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi. Agnes Nakuya, Lydia Namabiro, and captain Peace Lekuru scored the three tries.
They had to defend for their lives in the last play after Ritta Nadunga received a yellow card for an intentional knock-forward of the ball.
Charles Onen’s charges had lost two matches during the round-robin tournament – both against home-based Lionesses and Cubs. Those losses were characterized by handling errors and disjointed team play.
During the final, Uganda overcame the mental handicap against Kenya and fixed the errors that had cost them earlier in the tournament.
see the squad that brought it home
This victory in the 2023 Safari 7s will certainly be a springboard for Uganda in the upcoming 2024 season where they have to compete in the World Rugby 7s Challenger Series and the Olympic Games Repechage.