Herbert Wafula Memorial Rugby 7s set for Busia

It will be a mouth-watering and gruelling day as the Herbert Wafula Memorial Rugby 7s takes centre stage at Busia Integrated Secondary School on Saturday, July 9, 2026, in Busia District.

The tournament is in memory of former national rugby team captain and later national team coach Herbert Wafula, who passed on in 2023 at Mulago Hospital.

Wafula was a Ugandan rugby stalwart who played for the Rugby Cranes from 1997 to 2002 and was also among Uganda's first players to feature in a test match in 1997. He captained Uganda in 2002, leading the team to its first win over Kenya on Kenyan soil, and was part of the squad that won the Africa Cup in 2007.

After his playing career, he served as a coach and team manager, working with clubs including Impis, Kobs, Mongers, Warriors, Rhinos, and Black Pirates, as well as the Rugby Cranes, Lady Rugby Cranes, and Rwanda's sevens team. Wafula died on November 24, 2023, at Mulago National Referral Hospital after an illness.

Rugby teams will use the one-day tournament to sharpen their sides ahead of the national 7s series, which is due to take place from July 22 to 26, 2026. Both Ugandan and Kenyan teams will participate in the tournament.

The six-leg National 7s series will begin with the Stone City 7s at RuckYard Sports Club. It will be followed by the Rujumba 7s, hosted by Pirates at the Kings Park Arena in Wakiso District on August 1 and 2.

The Kyadondo 7s will follow on August 22 and 23 at Kyadondo Rugby Club, while the Rwot Moo 7s at Gulu University will take place on August 29 and 30.

The Kyabazinga 7s will follow on the weekend of September 12 and 13 at Kabazinga Stadium in Bugembe, and the series will climax with the Kabaka Coronation 7s as the finale at Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.