Coach Muhammad Athiyo has made two changes to the team to face South Africa, handing Gertrude Kateesa a starting role and introducing Gorret Babirye for her international debut.

The Lady Cranes suffered a 43-10 defeat on opening day to hosts, the Kenya Lionesses, and immediately shifted their focus to the next game.

According to Charles Onen, the assistant coach of the ladies, that game is now behind them, but with a major takeaway.

“We believe that there are a couple of lessons learned [against Kenya], our defence was really, really bad—missed tackles, the line speed was not there,” Onen noted in an interview with Uganda Rugby media.

The Lady Cranes have gone for consistency, maintaining almost the same team from the weekend to this midweek encounter. This provides stability and match fitness with the broader target of defeating Madagascar’s Lady Makis again at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.

In the previous edition, the Ugandans fell victim to a 62-07 defeat to South Africa, a gap that couldn’t have been realistically closed in a 15s game within a year.

For the Lady Cranes, this game is an opportunity to clean up some areas and get their systems going before the decisive one.

“Moving into this game against South Africa, we look forward to a better game, changing some stuff around our defence, and hopefully the girls get to execute it so well,” Onen remarked.

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Ugandan International Adrian Kasito has extended his stay in France with Tricastin Rugby Club.

The 2022 Male Player of the Year moved to France in 2024 from KOBs RFC, where he had played all his senior career.

Kasito is a versatile player who has played wing, fullback and scrumhalf at the international level, and now for his club. 

Through social media, Tricastin Rugby announced that Kasito had been retained for the 3rd season.

“Adrian Kasito will continue the adventure with the club next season…he will continue his commitment to serving the team and bring all his energy to the field,” the caption partly reads from Tricastin via Instagram.

Kasito’s decision to stay with Tricastin comes after a period of significant personal and professional growth.

“It has been a challenging season, but I’ve grown from every part of it — the good and the tough moments. For me, rugby is bigger than anyone or any situation in the team, so I just want to keep giving everything I’ve got every time I step on the pitch,” said the utility back.

Additionally, Kasito recently made a big move, getting drafted into the India Rugby Premier League 7s.

However, this tournament coincides with the Rugby Africa Cup 7s for which Kasito had been selected to represent Uganda.

“Well, when I heard I’d been drafted for Season 2 of the India Rugby Premier League, I was both excited and grateful for the opportunity. Unfortunately, it overlaps with the Africa 7s, so I’ve made the decision to take the India opportunity and let other Ugandan players step up and prove themselves.

“I’ll be wishing the Uganda 7s the very best. Believe in yourselves no matter what, because that’s what makes you unstoppable,” Kasito notes.

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When Impis host Sharks in the league, it shall be a grudge match to prove the Makerere boys didn’t fluke that Uganda Cup win.

The Sharks are coming off a statement win over the Buffaloes, thanks to Daniel Kateregga’s penalty. They will hope to bring this momentum to Makerere and avenge that 24-19 loss at the hands of Impis in the group stage phase of the Uganda Cup.

For Impis, the walkover win against the Kakira Simbas last Saturday was not enough. They have the opportunity to go 5th on the table should they beat the Sharks at home, and the Heathens pick up a victory on the road against the Mongers in Entebbe.

In the Impis ranks are some interesting youngsters. Elvis Kumanya will be making his full senior debut for the Makerere side, while Nimrod Oboth and Magali Lamot shall feature after their exploits in the central schools league.

These players will have the backing of seasoned fly-half Henry Nsekuye pulling the strings.

The Sharks have named a starting forwards pack that’s almost befitting of the rugby Cranes. Seasoned campaigners like Saul Kivumbi, Cyrus Wathum and Wilobo Mukili are in the front row, while the lock pairing of Charles Uhuru and Arthur Mpande has seen brighter days before.

The backs are almost evenly matched, but the Sharks have the edge, thanks to that experience once again. Kenyan winger Humphrey Asiligwa has been a menace in the league, especially under the high ball. His opposite number, Philip Mutebi, will have a long day in office if he doesn’t silence him in the opening stanzas of the game.

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