After winning the first two National 7s stops and then finishing 6th at the Kyadondo 7s, the Nile Rapids have a point to prove in Gulu.
The Nile Rapids started the 2025 National 7s series on a dark note, entirely missing out on the Coronation 7s, then being represented by a makeshift squad at the Gulu 7s.
When they return to Gulu for the Lawii Rwodi 7s, they are going to be looking like an entirely different side from that team that played last year.
Additionally, the Rapids have welcomed back some of their star players like Prossy Akello and Jemima Namukose, who were away at the East Africa Schools’ games with Jinja SSS in Tanzania.
The Rapids find themselves in Pool B alongside the She Wolves, Ewes and Black Pearls, sides that they have eased past in the first two stops of the 2026 National 7s.
The Rapids missed the services of Shaine Josephine Babirye at the Kyadondo 7s, but she has been named for the Lawii Rwodi 7s, despite still being an injury doubt. It is expected that Fatuma Kirabo will take on the scrumhalf role as Babirye’s minutes are managed, while Halima Likambo will be on the bench to deputise the two aforementioned starters.
In Pool A, it is a clash of giants as the Thunderbirds, who are clear favourites to top the group, will have the Avengers, Walukuba Titans and Mbale Eagles to deal with.
The Avengers and Titans will have to fight for second place when they face off in the first women’s group game of Pool A on Saturday. The Mbale Eagles have been a one-woman show, as Mastula Namboozo has been tasked with carrying the newly promoted side across the line.
The Women’s pool games shall be played across two days as the action in Gulu will kick off at 10:30 a.m. instead of the usual 8:00 a.m. due to the national cleaning day.
Women’s Pools:
- Pool A – Thunderbirds, Avengers, Walukuba Titans, Mbale Eagles
- Pool B – She Wolves, Ewes, Nile Rapids, Black Pearls