Uganda Gain Promotion To U20 Barthes Trophy Performance Division After Sealing Double Over Zambia

Uganda captain Elijah Kantinti praises Zambia’s challenge as the Junior Rugby Cranes secure promotion: “Today they really gave us a good game.”

KAMPALA, Uganda – Uganda have completed a double over Zambia in their Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy First Division contest, winning the second of two legs 27-12 on Tuesday to gain promotion to the Performance Division.

Following their 81-0 thumping victory in the first match on Friday, the hosts dominated again at Muteesa II Stadium but failed to finish several chances they created, giving the Zambians breathing space in a vastly improved performance by the Southern Africans.

Uganda have earned a ticket to the Performance Division, replacing Tunisia, who have been relegated following a 38-12 defeat to Zimbabwe earlier in the day.

Flankers Sharif Tibo and Victor Agaba, centre Jacob Abaasa and lock Prince Kakaire all crossed the whitewash for Uganda, who were once again the better side in all departments.

The young Zambian side was more fluent when running the ball, with their backline showcasing speed and attacking flair.

They were rewarded with tries from scrum-half Kabwe Mulenga and flanker Andrea Ngosa as the Zambians finished the tournament on an encouraging note, making amends for their poor showing in the first tie.

Uganda captain Elijah Kantinti praised Zambia for their performance in the second leg.

“I would like to say thanks to Zambia for upping the challenge,” said Kantinti.

“With regards to the last game, we had it easier, but today they really gave us a good game.”

Kantinti added that he expects the competition to “get tighter” in the Performance Division and urged the Junior Rugby Cranes to “up the challenge.”

Chama Kamuntu, Zambia’s captain, was also delighted by his team’s performance despite the defeat.

“It wasn’t easy, but it’s all about the heart. As long as you give 150 percent, everything else doesn’t matter. The boys didn’t do well in the last game; they just needed a bit of a boost. I’m proud of them,” Kamuntu said.

Uganda will now finish the tournament with a youth Test match against Zimbabwe on 15 August.

The East Africans have a proud history in Africa’s premier youth competition. They won the second tier of the championship in 2015 when the tournament was hosted in Kampala. The Junior Rugby Cranes last competed in the Performance Division in 2023, finishing seventh.

Performance Division

• Namibia
• Zimbabwe
• Kenya
• Tunisia

First Division

• Zambia
• Uganda

Friday 7 August 2026 (EAT)

• 10:00 - Namibia (11) vs Tunisia (6) (Performance Division)
• 13:00 - Kenya (35) vs Zimbabwe (23) (Performance Division)
• 16:00 - Zambia (0) vs Uganda (81) (First Division)

Tuesday 11 August 2026 (EAT)

• 12:00 - Tunisia (12) vs Zimbabwe (38) (Performance Division)
• 14:00 - Zambia (12) vs Uganda (27) (First Division)
• 16:00 - Namibia vs Kenya (Performance Division) (Winner of Tournament)

Saturday 15 August 2026 (EAT)

• 16:00 - Uganda vs Zimbabwe (Test Match)