Ugandan national rugby teams secured all available trophies at a regional Rugby 7s tournament held in Burundi on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Both the boys' and girls' teams from Uganda emerged victorious, sweeping the competition and claiming all cups. The event brought together teams from across the region to compete for top honors, with athletes from Burundi (the host nation), Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo participating.
Dominant Ugandan Performance
The tournament saw a total of seven teams participating, showcasing a diverse representation from the East African Community. These included two Burundian teams (one boys' and one girls' team), two Ugandan teams (one boys' and one girls' team), two Tanzanian teams (one boys' and one girls' team), and one Congolese team. The strong performance by the Ugandan contingent was evident across both categories.
Uganda's boys' team secured the top position in the general ranking with an impressive 148 points. Their consistent play and strategic execution allowed them to outpace all competitors. Burundi followed in second place with 111 points, demonstrating a commendable effort on home soil. The Democratic Republic of Congo obtained 14 points, while Tanzania finished with 0 points, indicating areas for future development in their boys' rugby program.
In the girls' competition, Uganda also ranked first, accumulating a significant 89 points. This victory further solidified Uganda's dominance in the regional tournament. Burundi's girls' team placed second with 81 points, showcasing a closely contested battle for the top spot. Tanzania concluded the ranking with 0 points in the girls' category, similar to their boys' team performance.
Regional Rugby Landscape
Burundi secured second place overall in the tournament, finishing ahead of both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. This achievement notes the host nation's growing presence in regional rugby. The host nation's boys' team accumulated 111 points in the general ranking, a solid performance that contributed significantly to their overall standing. The Democratic Republic of Congo obtained 14 points, reflecting their participation and initial steps in regional competition, while Tanzania concluded with 0 points across both categories. In the girls' competition, Burundi's team ranked second with 81 points, with Tanzania again finishing at 0 points. Uganda's teams ultimately claimed both the boys' and girls' titles, demonstrating a strong and full performance across the entire competition. This clean sweep showed their current supremacy in the regional Rugby 7s arena.
Tournament Purpose and Future
The tournament was specifically organized to measure the rugby level of teams from East African Community countries. This objective provides a key benchmark for the participating nations, allowing them to assess their current capabilities and identify areas for improvement. Its structure also facilitates the invitation of top-performing teams to various regional, continental, or world competitions. This dual purpose aims to both evaluate current standards and provide pathways for further international participation for the region's rugby talent, fostering growth and development within the sport. The tournament allows the best teams to be invited to participate in different regional, continental, or world competitions, offering a clear progression path for emerging talent.
Federation President's Remarks
The tournament attracted athletes from several East African Community countries, fostering a spirit of regional camaraderie and competition. Teams from Burundi, the host nation, competed alongside participants from Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This regional gathering provided a platform for evaluating the rugby capabilities within the East African Community, aligning with the tournament's core objective. The event's structure aims to facilitate the invitation of top-performing teams to various regional, continental, or world competitions, ensuring that success at this level can lead to greater opportunities. Uganda ultimately claimed both the boys' and girls' titles, marking a significant achievement for their national rugby program.