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The Rugby Cranes have announced a 28-man squad to compete in the Victoria Cup and Elgon Cup that kicks off next weekend. 

Uganda will take on Zambia and Kenya in the Victoria Cup but the tie between Uganda and Kenya will double as the Elgon Cup. 

Coach Fred Mudoola and his leadership group have chosen players with experience and youth but he admitted the decision was not easy at all. 

“It has been very hard to assemble this team because 15s haven't been played in a while, it has always been sevens. It's mixed feelings because we are really excited but we don't know what to expect because we haven’t played anything at home for like four years, so it was hard but as I said, the journey of 1000 miles starts with one step,” said Mudoola. 

Pirates' Ivan Magomu will captain the team and will be deputised by Byron Oketayot and Conrad Wanyama. 

The Rugby Cranes have camped for over a month and are excited for a chance to play some tests after going a while without hosting any matches at home. The last time 15’s rugby was played was during the world cup qualification tournament that took place in France last year. 

The team has seven debutants including, Jude Jjuko, Ivan Kabagambe, Sydney Gongodyo, Frank Kidega, Nicholas Kato, Liam Walker, and Timothy Kisiga. 

Squad: Faragi Odugo, Nathan Bwambale, Jude Jjuko, Santos Senteza, Ivan Kabagambe, Collins Kimbowa, Charles Uhuru, Robert Aziku, Eliphaz Emong, Joachim Chisano, Mark Omoding, Sydney Gongodyo, Frank Kidega, Nicholas Kato, Liam Walker, Eric Mula, Thomas Gwokto, Alhaji Manano, Micheal Wokorach, Timothy Kisiga, Shakim Ssembusi, Jacob Ochen, Joseph Oyet, Asuman Mugerwa, Byron Oketayot, Conrad Wanyama and Ivan Magomu.