Ugandan Rugby players vanish in Germany

Ramadhan Govule is one of the players who went AWOL following the Octoberfest 7s. Photo by Johnson Were

Africa Rugby Sevens (Kampala Oct 7-8)

This is not how the Uganda Rugby Sevens were supposed to spend the final week leading up to the Rugby Africa Sevens. 

But rather than concentrate on putting the final touches on their impending title defence, the Sevens will be dealing with the untimely refusal of three of the 12 players who took part in the three-day Oktoberfest Sevens to return home. 

Ramadhan Govule, Fred Odur and Brian Kikawa stayed in Germany as their now ex-teammates boarded the plane back in a not too unfamiliar tale of Ugandan sportsmen going AWOL after international engagements. 

Uganda Rugby Union CEO Ramsey Olinga could not shed more light on the development when contacted by New Vision Sport, saying, "I don't know anything about it." 

Brian Kikawa will not return home with the rest of the team.

Former Rugby Cranes captain Herbert Wafula observed, "It's a sad thing. In future we might fail to get invites." 

The team is expected to arrive later today and begin winding down preparations for the Africa sevens due Friday and Saturday.

Nine countries - Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Tunisia, Zambia, Ghana, Morocco and Senegal - are expected in Kampala for the Sevens showpiece that will see the winner qualify for the World Cup. 

Two months ago Bombers David Ayiti, Muzamiru Kakande and Geoffrey Kakeeto stayed in Germany after representing Uganda in the World Boxing Championships.