Lady Rugby Cranes step up preparations for Women’s Africa Cup in Nairobi
The tournament, hosted at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) ground, will kick off with Uganda facing hosts Kenya on May 23, 2026, in the opening match. South Africa will play Madagascar in the other fixture.
Peace Lekuru with the ball during trainig at Kampala Rugby Club. PHOTO: Johnson Were
The Lady Rugby Cranes have intensified preparations ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup, scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from May 21 to 31, 2026.
The tournament, hosted at the Rugby Football Union of East Africa (RFUEA) ground, will kick off with Uganda facing hosts Kenya on May 23, 2026, in the opening match. South Africa will play Madagascar in the other fixture.
Uganda will then take on South Africa before concluding their group campaign against Madagascar.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the Women’s Rugby Tier 2 competition in Europe, an elite rugby tournament established by World Rugby to raise the standard of women’s rugby globally.
According to strength and conditioning coach Kigongo Ssebalamu, the team is ready for the challenge and confident of delivering results.
“Our target is to qualify for the Women’s International Tournament (WVX), and to achieve that, we have to win this tournament,” Kigongo told Vision Sport.
He added that if his side fails to win, they should aim to finish second, which would earn them a place in WVX Tier 3, from which they could qualify for Tier 2 the following season.
The travelling squad
Janipher Nakale, Evelyn Asaba, Phoebe Nakalembe, Christine Kokoi, Doreen Mbabazi, Doreen Sijali, Yvonne Najuma, Phiona Natongo, Fazira Namukwaya, Leona Acen, Proscovia Mukyala, Helen Acanit, Peace Nemira, Cabrine Kirabo, Angella Nanyonjo (captain), Goretti Babirye, Josephin Babirye, Juliet Nandawula, Bushira Namutebi, Justine Anguchia, Peace Lekuru (assistant captain), Grace Nabaggala, Unity Namulala, Getrude Kateesa, Rachael Mufuwa, and Mastula Nambozo.