Uganda take on Mexico and Japan in FISU World University Rugby 7s
Uganda opened their campaign against Mexico on Friday afternoon and will on Saturday, September 5, 2026, take on Japan in a must-win fixture.
Allan Karuhanga with the ball during a National Sevens game, as he is tackled by a Buffaloes opponent. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Uganda Fixtures
Game Day 1, Friday
Uganda v Mexico,14:41 EAT
Saturday:
Japan v Uganda,10:52 EAT
Experienced players Davis Shimwa, Jones Kamiza, Allan Karuhanga, and Calvin Gizamba will shoulder Team Uganda as they take on their opponents in the opening fixtures of the FISU World University Championship Rugby Sevens on Saturday.
Uganda opened their campaign against Mexico on Friday afternoon and will on Saturday, September 5, 2026, take on Japan in a must-win fixture.
Drawn in a pool of three teams, each game is a final, and coach Leonard Lubambula's boys must win their group stage fixtures against Mexico and Japan to keep their hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals alive.
After that, Uganda will then face Japan in their final Pool B fixture, and the teams will be re-seeded for the quarterfinal stage.
"We respect our opponents, but our focus is to win, and we shall go out strong for that win because it is important to us," Lubambula said.
"We shall stay disciplined, executing our game plans one game at a time, and keeping our intensity high from the first whistle to the final whistle," Lubambula added.
Uganda last participated in 2018 in Swakopmund, Namibia, with the team finishing sixth overall. That was their maiden appearance, and it was a learning curve for the team.
This year, Team Uganda has set their target as a better placement, ultimately finishing on the podium.
In the other pools, Argentina takes on Zimbabwe, hosts South Africa face Norway, Australia play Zimbabwe, and Norway will then face Chile in their second game.
Lubambula will select his starting squad players, including Francis Bogere, Calvin Gizamba, Daniel Kateregga, Stuart Mwayi, Mark Lagat, Allan Karuhanga, Jones Kamiza, Ryan Jjuuko, Ian Bwowe, Davis Shimwa, Darren Aine, and Darrell Mwaka.
The two games against Mexico and Japan will demand maximum speed, attitude, and endurance if the boys are to contain their opponents, who play more of a running game than a physical one.
Players Shimwa and Kamiza, who have been on the national team, have the mental attitude to guide their colleagues on how to contain the pressure from the opponents.