It is not only enviable that the Kenya Shujaa and Lionesses are playing in the HSBC Division II, but it is also quite remarkable that they get to host a leg.
For years, the Kenyans have brought the fanfare to the World Rugby 7s legs across the globe in their famous Kenya Corner.
As a Ugandan, I can’t help but think, “that should be us,” but have we done enough on and off the pitch to achieve such a remarkable milestone that our jirani (neighbour) gets to celebrate on the weekend of 14th and 15th February?
First off, we have to admit that 2025 wasn’t the best year for the Uganda 7s. The men went back to Rugby Africa 7s as the defending champions but only managed a 5th place finish, while the women once again fell to the Kenya Lionesses in the semifinal of their version of the tournament.
All the men had to ensure was that only Kenya and South Africa ‘A’ finished ahead of them, as the latter were already in the World Series. For the women, anything short of winning the tournament held in Nairobi last year wouldn’t be enough to send them to the World SVNS Division 3 played in Dubai in January of this year.
Madagascar men and South Africa women represented Africa at the Division 3, with the former dropping out and the latter qualifying alongside Argentina women for the Division 2 to be played this weekend.
Given the current rebuild that the Uganda Men’s setup is going through, qualifying for the Division 3, let alone 2, would have been a goal far too ambitious. The Women, on the other hand, have proven to perform better in their international engagements, but are yet to crack that glass ceiling into the big leagues.
With the new restructured HSBC World SVNS Series, there is an opportunity for Uganda to not only qualify and compete but also host a leg in any of the two lower pathway divisions. Kenya has shown us that it can be done, and the Kenyan fans have exhibited a yearning for such action by selling out the Nyayo National Stadium, so why can’t Uganda do it too?