Kyadondo 7s set to test top teams’ depth in National 7s Series

Kyadondo Rugby Club will host the third stop of Uganda’s National 7s Series, with several leading teams facing the tournament without important members of their preferred line-ups. Black Pirates, Heathens, KOBs and Buffaloes are among the sides affected as players join the national team.

The absences could alter the balance at the top of the competition, but they also offer a direct examination of each club’s wider squad. Walukuba Barbarians, Mongers and Victoria Sharks have each lost one player, with those departures particularly significant because the players concerned made important contributions during the opening two stops.

The national-team schedule was known when the season began, leaving clubs expected to prepare for this interruption. Kyadondo will therefore provide an opportunity for coaches to use members of their extended Rugby 7s groups, including younger players and experienced figures who have spent time outside the starting line-up.

KOBs have included Shafic Okole, a schoolboy at Upperhill School in Kenya, in their squad. The halfback previously displayed promise with the Boks and appeared for KOBs during last year’s Uganda Cup. Byron Oketayot and Faragi Odugo also return, while Jaffer Abdallah and Patrick Ochan can compete for larger roles with Ian Munyani and Karim Arinaitwe unavailable.

The player changes have also created new leadership responsibilities. Brian Wandera will lead KOBs, Gift Wokorach takes on a leadership role for Walukuba Barbarians and Jones Kamiza does the same for Black Pirates. Heathens have brought back Innocent Thomas Gwokto and Lawrence Ssebuliba as part of their leadership group while regular club leaders are away.

The stop will also give clubs a chance to assess players added during the season. Nicholas Kato is available for Pirates, while Andrew Odhiambo joins the Heathens’ options. With teams expected to register 72 players at the start of the campaign, the Kyadondo event will show how effectively the leading sides can rely on their full squads rather than only their established starters.