Ugandan rugby ready for Club Games debut
UGANDA has featured in several international 7s rugby tournaments with relative success. The Commonwealth Games is the highest platform they have got to and the team makes its debut with a stiff test against world giants South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.
By Ronnie Kintu
Melbourne Commonwealth Games
Group D
Uganda, South Africa, Samoa, Tonga
UGANDA has featured in several international 7s rugby tournaments with relative success. The Commonwealth Games is the highest platform they have got to and the team makes its debut with a stiff test against world giants South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.
FLY-HALFS
The fly-half is probably the player with the most influence. He makes the decisions, kicks for territory and runs with the ball a lot.
Simon Wakabi
Age: 24
Height: 5ft 6in
Weight: 75.2 kg
Club: Kobs RFC
Wakabi made his debut for the national squad in 2002 during the Safari 7s in Nairobi. A determined and never-say-die player.
Brian Tabaruka
Age:28
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 76kg
Club: MTN Heathens
Tabaruka brings several years of experience to the young Ugandan team going to Melbourne. Has 22 7s national team caps since 1999.
PROPS
The loose-head prop is part of the front row in the scrum. Like the other prop, he must be a rock -solid player, probably the strongest in the side.
Timothy Mudola
Role: Vice captain
Age:24
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 84kg
Club: Kobs
A stout but versatile product of the school development programme. He captained Namilyango College before making it to the national team.
Moses Soita
Age:24
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 96 kg
Club: Black Pirates
Soita brings raw power, pace and firm tackling to the national side.
Mathias Ochwo
Age:24
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 98kg
Club: Raiders, SA
Ochwo plays semi-professional rugby in South Africa and brings a lot of experience as a prop.
Kenneth Opito
Age:31
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 78 kg
Club: MTN Heathens
A quick, hard tackling prop and very good team player. Captained the MTN Heathens 7s to the national title last year.
HOOKERS
In the scrum, the hooker is literally in the middle of things. He must be physically strong for the battle of the front row, and also able to accurately and consistently throw the ball into the line-out.
Alexander Mubiru
Age:20
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 75kg
Club: MTN Heathens
Made his debut at Safari 7s in Kenya 2002 and has since built his career, touring Dubai and Kenya in 2004.
Anthony Kinene
Age:21
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 71kg
Club: Black Pirates
Another product of the schools’ development programme. Will be earning his 26th cap. Starred in Dubai 7s in 2004.
John Musoke
Age:27
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 89 kg
Club: Rhinos RFC
A king-pin on the national team since 2000. He missed the Dubai 7s because of a heavy work- load in 2005 and is back to change the national team’s fortunes. Voted Uganda’s MVP in 2004
SCRUM-HALFs
The scrum-half is the link between the backs and the forwards. He needs to be fast, a good passer and kicker of the ball and a good defender too.
Edgar Lemerigar
Age:22
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 68kg
Club: MTN Heathens
His consistent performance through every season always makes him a first and reliable choice on the national team.
Robert Seguya
Age:28
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 80kg
Club: MTN Heathens
Injuries hampered his appearances in 2005 after breaking his arm, but his recovery could be instrumental in Uganda’s performance since he has experience dating to 1998.
WINGERS
A winger should be the fastest runner on the side. Must also have good handling and tackling skills, and be a good kicker.
Allan Musoke
Role: Captain
Position: Wing/Centre
Age:25
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 85kg
Club: Kobs
Musoke possesses explosive pace and tremendous power that make him stand out. He was the second top try scorer, the first time Uganda took part at the Dubai 7s, 2003 and was also MVP of the local season the same year.
TECHNICAL BENCH
Team manager
Herbert Wafula
Coach
Tolbert Onyango
Melbourne Commonwealth Games
Group D
Uganda, South Africa, Samoa, Tonga
UGANDA has featured in several international 7s rugby tournaments with relative success. The Commonwealth Games is the highest platform they have got to and the team makes its debut with a stiff test against world giants South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.
FLY-HALFS
The fly-half is probably the player with the most influence. He makes the decisions, kicks for territory and runs with the ball a lot.
Simon Wakabi
Age: 24
Height: 5ft 6in
Weight: 75.2 kg
Club: Kobs RFC
Wakabi made his debut for the national squad in 2002 during the Safari 7s in Nairobi. A determined and never-say-die player.
Brian Tabaruka
Age:28
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 76kg
Club: MTN Heathens
Tabaruka brings several years of experience to the young Ugandan team going to Melbourne. Has 22 7s national team caps since 1999.
PROPS
The loose-head prop is part of the front row in the scrum. Like the other prop, he must be a rock -solid player, probably the strongest in the side.
Timothy Mudola
Role: Vice captain
Age:24
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 84kg
Club: Kobs
A stout but versatile product of the school development programme. He captained Namilyango College before making it to the national team.
Moses Soita
Age:24
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 96 kg
Club: Black Pirates
Soita brings raw power, pace and firm tackling to the national side.
Mathias Ochwo
Age:24
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 98kg
Club: Raiders, SA
Ochwo plays semi-professional rugby in South Africa and brings a lot of experience as a prop.
Kenneth Opito
Age:31
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 78 kg
Club: MTN Heathens
A quick, hard tackling prop and very good team player. Captained the MTN Heathens 7s to the national title last year.
HOOKERS
In the scrum, the hooker is literally in the middle of things. He must be physically strong for the battle of the front row, and also able to accurately and consistently throw the ball into the line-out.
Alexander Mubiru
Age:20
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 75kg
Club: MTN Heathens
Made his debut at Safari 7s in Kenya 2002 and has since built his career, touring Dubai and Kenya in 2004.
Anthony Kinene
Age:21
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 71kg
Club: Black Pirates
Another product of the schools’ development programme. Will be earning his 26th cap. Starred in Dubai 7s in 2004.
John Musoke
Age:27
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 89 kg
Club: Rhinos RFC
A king-pin on the national team since 2000. He missed the Dubai 7s because of a heavy work- load in 2005 and is back to change the national team’s fortunes. Voted Uganda’s MVP in 2004
SCRUM-HALFs
The scrum-half is the link between the backs and the forwards. He needs to be fast, a good passer and kicker of the ball and a good defender too.
Edgar Lemerigar
Age:22
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 68kg
Club: MTN Heathens
His consistent performance through every season always makes him a first and reliable choice on the national team.
Robert Seguya
Age:28
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 80kg
Club: MTN Heathens
Injuries hampered his appearances in 2005 after breaking his arm, but his recovery could be instrumental in Uganda’s performance since he has experience dating to 1998.
WINGERS
A winger should be the fastest runner on the side. Must also have good handling and tackling skills, and be a good kicker.
Allan Musoke
Role: Captain
Position: Wing/Centre
Age:25
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 85kg
Club: Kobs
Musoke possesses explosive pace and tremendous power that make him stand out. He was the second top try scorer, the first time Uganda took part at the Dubai 7s, 2003 and was also MVP of the local season the same year.
TECHNICAL BENCH
Team manager
Herbert Wafula
Coach
Tolbert Onyango