Uganda Claim First Africa Women’s Sevens Title and Secure World Rugby SVNS 3 Promotion

NAIROBI, Kenya – Uganda defeated Tunisia 33-0 in the Africa Women’s Sevens final on Sunday to claim the continental title for the first time and secure qualification for World Rugby HSBC SVNS 3, capping an outstanding tournament run by the Lady Cranes in Nairobi.

Uganda had snatched a last-gasp 19-14 victory over arch-rivals Kenya in a nail-biting semi-final earlier in the day, but they rediscovered their dominant form in the final, led by a hat-trick from winger Lydia Namabiro.

The Ugandans had overpowered their opponents throughout the tournament, with their powerful forward pack providing a solid platform for their attacking players to finish off opportunities and secure convincing victories.

The final against Tunisia followed a similar pattern, with Racheal Mufuwa and Gertrude Kateesa also crossing the line as Uganda comfortably overcame the North Africans, who struggled to contain the champions in front of a packed crowd at the RFUEA Grounds.

Earlier, in a semi-final that promised fireworks between the neighbouring nations, Uganda raced to a 12-0 lead through two early tries. Outstanding captain Peace Lekuru provided the offload for Grace Nabagala to score the opening try before crossing herself after slicing through the middle of the Kenyan defence.

However, Kenya fought back with two tries to take the lead for the first time in the match. Freshia Oduor finished off a quick line break before Janet Okello broke away from the defenders to add another five-pointer.

With Kenya leading 14-12 and in possession as the hooter sounded, the hosts appeared to have one hand on a place in the final. The home crowd was ready to erupt in celebration.

But Uganda, who had knocked out defending champions South Africa in the quarter-finals with a 24-17 victory over the Springbok Women’s Sevens A, showed remarkable determination in the closing moments.

Keeping the ball alive and knowing it was the final play, Player of the Tournament Lekuru crashed over for the winning try, breaking Kenyan hearts and sending Uganda into the final.

In the other semi-final, Tunisia defeated Zimbabwe 22-10, ending the tournament run of a side that showed significant improvement in Nairobi. Zimbabwe had arrived underprepared but finished fourth, improving on their seventh-place finish in the previous competition.

Zimbabwe reached the semi-finals after a shock 12-5 victory over Zambia, who had defeated South Africa twice during the tournament.

In the semi-final, a brace from Zahra Haddaji and further tries from Zahra Chtioui and Yassmin Korbi secured Tunisia’s place in the final, while Chiwoniso Mabika and Robyn Mhembere scored Zimbabwe’s two tries.

In the bronze medal match, Kenya bounced back from their semi-final defeat to Uganda with a convincing 27-7 victory over Zimbabwe.

Stella Wafula crossed the line twice for the Lionesses, while Nelly Chikombe, Sinaida Mokaya and Kathrine Amonde also scored. Chiwoniso Mabika scored Zimbabwe’s only try, which was converted.

Pool A

• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Rwanda

Pool B

• Kenya
• Tunisia
• Ghana

Pool C

• Uganda
• Madagascar
• Mauritius
• Burkina Faso

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Where to watch?

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Saturday, 7 November 2026 (EAT)

• 09:00 – Madagascar (12) v Mauritius (5) (Pool C)
• 09:22 – Uganda (45) v Burkina Faso (0) (Pool C)
• 09:44 – Tunisia (21) v Ghana (0) (Pool B)
• 10:06 – Zambia (36) v Zimbabwe (5) (Pool A)
• 10:28 – South Africa (57) v Rwanda (0) (Pool A)
• 11:44 – Madagascar (36) v Burkina Faso (12) (Pool C)
• 12:06 – Uganda (46) v Mauritius (0) (Pool C)
• 12:50 – Zambia (50) v Rwanda (0) (Pool A)
• 13:12 – South Africa (28) v Zimbabwe (10) (Pool A)
• 13:34 – Kenya (25) v Ghana (7) (Pool B)
• 14:50 – Mauritius (32) v Burkina Faso (10) (Pool C)
• 15:12 – Uganda (41) v Madagascar (0) (Pool C)
• 15:56 – South Africa (14) v Zambia (19) (Pool A)
• 16:18 – Zimbabwe (27) v Rwanda (5) (Pool A)
• 16:40 – Kenya (19) v Tunisia (0) (Pool B)

Sunday, 8 November 2026 (EAT)

• 09:00 – Kenya (52) v Mauritius (0) (Cup Quarter-Final 1)
• 09:22 – Uganda (24) v South Africa (17) (Cup Quarter-Final 2)
• 09:44 – Tunisia (31) v Madagascar (7) (Cup Quarter-Final 3)
• 10:06 – Zambia (5) v Zimbabwe (12) (Cup Quarter-Final 4)
• 10:28 – Ghana (43)  v Rwanda (0) (9th Place Semi-Final 1)
• 12:07 – Mauritius (0) v South Africa (48) (5th Place Semi-Final 1)
• 12:29 – Madagascar (7) v Zambia (40) (5th Place Semi-Final 2)
• 12:51 – Kenya (14) v Uganda (19) (Cup Semi-Final 1)
• 13:13 – Tunisia (22) v Zimbabwe (10) (Cup Semi-Final 2)
• 13:35 – Ghana (41) v Burkina Faso (0)  (9th Place Final)
• 14:59 – Mauritius (12) v Madagascar (22) (7th Place Final)
• 15:24 – South Africa (12) v Zambia (17)  (5th Place Final)
• 15:53 – Kenya (27) v Zimbabwe (7) (Bronze Final)
• 16:32 – Uganda (33) v Tunisia (0) (Gold Final)

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