Uganda Sevens will make a long-awaited return to the Driftwood Sevens when the fourth round of the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit is held at Mombasa Sports Club on August 22-23.
The Rugby Cranes Sevens, who last featured in the tournament in 2013, will be the only foreign and national team in the 36th edition of the historic competition, which dates back to around 1989/1990.
On Tuesday, Uganda named a 13-player squad for the two-day tournament and will leave for Kenya later the same day.
Captain Ian Munyani will lead the side, assisted by vice-captain Alex Aturinda. The squad also includes Roy Kizito, Desire Ayera, Olango Allan, Patrick Okello, Tukei Aaron, Malcom Okello, Ssembusi Shakim, Etwau Dennis, Otim Daniel, Bulima Ivan and Karim Arinaitwe.
Otim Allan is the head coach, with Micheal Wandera as team manager and Samuel Asiimwe the team physiotherapist.
Uganda has been drawn in Pool B alongside KCB, who are fresh from winning the Kabeberi Sevens, Kenyatta University's Blak Blad and Dala Sevens hosts Kisumu RFC.
“This tournament will help the team test and fine tune combinations in preparations for the upcoming events in September 2026 and in January 2027,” explained Uganda Rugby chief technical officer Ramsey Olinga. “The team is in good shape, bar a few niggles with some players, but this tournament should be a good boost for our team.”
Coach Otim noted that the tournament would provide an important opportunity to sharpen the squad ahead of September's engagements.
“We are giving them an opportunity to set themselves ready for the tournament in September. This is one of the tournaments we want to use to fine tune the team,” he said.
Pool A features Christie Sevens hosts Kenya Harlequin, Kenya Cup and Enterprise Cup champions Kabras Sugar, Nondescripts and Mombasa Sports Club.
Pool C comprises Menengai Oilers, Daystar Falcons, Prinsloo Sevens hosts Nakuru and Kilifi RFC, while Pool D has Strathmore Leos, Kabeberi Sevens hosts Mwamba, MMUST and NYS Spades.
The Driftwood Sevens is the fourth leg of the 2026 SportPesa National Sevens Circuit and marks Uganda's return to one of Kenya's longest-running rugby sevens competitions.
