Walukuba Barbarians etched their names into Uganda rugby history when they won the 2025 National 7s title.
First, Walukuba defeated the Heathens in the first circuit of last year’s series, then went on to be consistent in the Gulu and Entebbe circuits to keep themselves around the top. Their true intentions were made clear when they won the Kyabazinga 7s at home to go on top of the leaderboard.
Walukuba’s splendid performance could almost be zeroed down to three key players: Ivan Bulima, who was the overall series MVP, Gift Wokorach, the playmaker, and Shakim Sembusi, the finisher.
Senior players Bob Kawanda and Edward Emiemu put in a strong shift here and there, but it was the youngsters like Matthew Oluka and Shafik Manisur who stood up and played fearlessly against their more seasoned opponents.
This year, Walukuba lost Sembusi to Entebbe Mongers, but their production belt only seems to be churning out even more young talents in their teens. Coach Leonard Lubambula looks at this as a blessing, as he is known to be a nurturer of players.
“In our setup, youth isn’t an excuse; it’s our biggest asset. Young players bring fearless energy, natural recovery speed, and an enthusiasm that spreads through the entire squad. Our job as technical staff is to back that raw talent with elite structural clarity,” he notes with pride.
With the 2026 National 7s for Walukuba to defend or lose, Lubambula notes that he has made it clear to his team that everyone else will be gunning for them.
“We addressed the ‘target on our back’ early in pre-season. We told the group that we aren’t defending a title that implies sitting back and protecting something in the past. We are on the front foot, hunting for the next trophy. Pressure is a privilege; it means you earned the right to be shot at. When you wear the champions’ mantle, every opposition team treats their fixture against you as their cup final,” Lubambula remarks.
The Walukuba gaffer further reassured Barbarians’ fans that his young charges are handling the pressure ‘with extreme hunger and zero complacency’ as they go out into the campaign to retain their title.
“Winning it once proves you have the quality; defending it proves you have the culture. Our roadmap for this season isn’t about doing anything radical; it’s about relentless consistency and physical preparation. The energy in camp is sharp, focused, and relaxed. They love the big occasion, and that competitive edge is built into how we train every single day,” Lubambula concludes.