Nile launches fans' drive to boost Rugby Cranes

Home fixtures

June 4 Uganda v Kenya

July 2 Uganda v Namibia

Away

July 16 Zimbabwe v Uganda

July 30 Kenya v Uganda 

A hectic international schedule awaits the Uganda Rugby Cranes when they meet top African rugby sides in the Elgon and the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR) cup in June.

And to ensure the team not only performs well but also tries to win in both tournaments a 40-man squad has started preparations to tackle the daunting task that will see them take on three sides; Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe who are ranked higher than them in the CAR Tier A.

That is why a ten-day training program in conjunction with the Cheetahs Rugby Club of South Africa will come in handy in May on top of the local preparations that started on Sunday and are to continue bi-weekly.

URU General Secretary Godwin Kayangwe told a press conference at Moringa on Thursday that the Nile Special sponsored Cranes will begin their international campaign with an Elgon Cup match against Kenya on June 4 before another home game against Namibia on July 2.

The team will then travel to Zimbabwe for a CAR game on July 16 before the Elgon Cup return match against Kenya on July 30 which will also act as a CAR match.

URU General Secretary Godwin Kayangwe (2nd L) addresses a press conference flanked by Nile Special brand manager Isaac Sekasi (L) , Rugby Cranes captain Brian Odongo and coach Anthony Kinene (R) during the launch. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

"Because of our ranking (4^th) and the change in format we shall play only one home game against Namibia but we also have games against newly certified member of world rugby-Rwanda who will play their first test match against Uganda on August 13 in Kigali and on the 27^th in Kampala," Kayangwe said.

And to ensure the team is not intimidated by their opponent's team sponsors Nile Special has also decided to rally support for the team early enough to ensure the team's success.

In conjunction with the Uganda Rugby Fan Zone Nile Special is going to give out 75 tickets to fans during various league games for both the international home and away games to ensure Uganda at least wins some matches and or stays in Tier A.

30 and 20 tickets will be given out for both the home and away games against Kenya, 20 against Namibia and 5 against Zimbabwe in Harare.

No promoted side in the past three years has managed to stay up or win a game against the three giants the reason Nile is rallying everyone to come and support the Ugandans.

"This is aimed at re-gearing support and energy around the national team and we are spearheading it to give the fans give an opportunity to the fans to travel with the team in this tight engagements so we urge all Ugandans to come in numbers and support our team," Isaac Sekasi Nile Special Brand Manager said.

The team: Alex Mubiru, Andrew Olweny, Arthur Mpande, Asuman Mugerwa, Ben Okello, Brian Odongo, Charles Uhuru, Chris Lubanga, Collins Kimbowa, Conrad Wanyama, Cyrus Wathum, Davis Kyewalabye, Denis Mullo, Elijah Segawa, Eric Kasiita, Gerald Sewankambo, Herman Sekamwa, Ivan Magomu, James Ijongat, James Odong, James Okello, John Wandicho, Joseph Aredo, Kevin Makmot, Lawrence Sebuliba, Marvin Odong, Martial Tchumkan, Mathias Ochwo, Michael Wokorach, Oscar Kalyango, Phillip Wokorach, Pius Ogena, Ramathan Govule, Robert Aziku, Romano Ogwal, Ronald Musajja, Scott Oluoch, David Baseka, Mathew Egeru, Daudi Semwami, Joseph Bulago, Jude Kirya.