Africa-Press – Uganda. The Uganda Rugby Cranes will Wednesday travel to Southern Africa for a crucial high-performance tour as part of their build-up to the Rugby Africa Cup 2025.
The Rugby Africa Cup 2025 will take place from July 8 to 19, 2025, and will be hosted by Uganda at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
The Ugandan is scheduled to take part in three friendly matches and two intensive training camps across Namibia and South Africa.
The tour is aimed at sharpening the team’s competitiveness and tactical cohesion ahead of what promises to be a defining tournament on home turf.
Uganda’s first stop will be Windhoek, where they will take on Namibia in a test match on June 14.
The Cranes will then proceed to Nylystroom, South Africa, for a five-day training camp from June 16 to 19, hosted by the renowned Blue Bulls franchise.
The tour continues with a match against the Limpopo Blue Bulls on June 21, followed by a final four-day camp in Nelspruit (June 23–26). The trip will conclude with a friendly match against the Pumas on June 27.
A total of 36 players have been named in the touring squad, with the first batch of 24 players set to feature in the Namibia fixture, with the remaining 12 joining the group in South Africa for the latter stages of the tour.
“The team departs Kampala on Wednesday, June 11, for a tour that will include three competitive friendly matches and two intensive training camps in South Africa, hosted by Blue Bulls,” the Uganda Rugby Union said in a statement.
The 2025 tournament comes on the back of a mixed campaign for Uganda in the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup. The Cranes put in a spirited performance but fell short of reaching the finals.
They exited at the semi-final stage after a hard-fought encounter with Namibia, who eventually clinched the title.
Despite the setback, the Cranes were praised for their physicality, defensive resilience, and improved tactical play, which laid the groundwork for their preparations this year.
Hosting the upcoming edition gives Uganda both the advantage of home support and a significant opportunity to better their previous campaign.
Full Squad
Forwards: Santos Ssentenza, Edward Emiemu, Fahad Maido, Julius Opio, Sidney Gyobi Gogodyo, Frank Kidega, Byron Oketayot, Pius Ogena, Nathan Asiimire Bwambale, Blair Ayebazibwe, Saul Kivumbi, Eliphaz Emong, Brian Wandera, Frank Evans Kakula, Michael Steve Masendi Otto, Moses Zziwa, Emmanuel Luminsa Kiyaga, Simon Peter Olet, Desire Ayera.
Backs: Conrad Wanyama Wandera, Yasin Smith Wasswa, Shakim Ssembusi, Justin Kimono Simwende, Thomas Gwokto, van Otema, Timothy Kisiga, Aaron Ofyorwoth, Liam Christopher Walker, Joseph Aredo Jacwong, William Nkore Ampeire, Nicholas Kato, Arnold Mananu, Ian Arnold Munyani, Adrian Kasito, Haruna Muhammed, Isaac Massanganzira.
Technical and Support Staff
The touring team is under the leadership of Team Manager Chartes Andrew Ikopit, assisted by Isaac Kimeze Kapalaga and Adam Kabalega. Cornelius Johannes Marais joins as High-Performance Consultant, while the coaching team is headed by Fred Alex Mudoola, supported by Leonard Lubambula, Zane Kirchner, and Marvin Harold Odong. Strength and conditioning duties are handled by Timothy Mudoola Muwumba, while Bugosera Sulainan Wasukira (Team Doctor) and Noah Kayongo (Physiotherapist) round out the medical team.
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