For the first time in over 3 years the Uganda 7s team managed to make the main cup Quarter Finals at the Kenya Safari 7s tournament.
A seemingly hurried preparation and contentious selection, not many gave the Uganda 7s team a chance and it was something that coach John Musoke must have known well. However it was pleasing to watch on day one of the tournament Uganda post up 2 victories first against highly fancied Hamilton Raiders from South Africa 19-10 which at the time was the days biggest upset and second a labored dispatch of our neighbours Rwanda 31-0.

Uganda also lost to eventual Group winners Ponsoby from New Zealand but it was enough to see Uganda break their 4 year main cup duck. This is clearly a result of some of the hard work of the system that started a couple of years ago when Ronnie Lutakome was given the young 7s charges with a view to work them towards the next world cup following a disappointing qualification campaign in 2008. Some of the stand out players at the tournament are an outcome of that vision and they showed great maturity, composure, awareness and self belief previously unseen, the likes of Captain Michael Wokorach and Benon Kizza, Canowira, Kamanyire and Kerumundu.
Dan Canowira came out clearly as having arrived on the big stage, having nearly disappeared in the 15s set up; he showed some of the menace that had given him the tag of one the future stars when he left school. Some subsequent average performances in the league had left some wondering whether it was not another talent misspotting. His pace, self belief, an eye for the line showed that all is not lost and may be he has finally found his feet at the big stage. So there is indeed hope for the Uganda 7s at the Common Wealth later this year contrary to popular belief. If this was a first health check, diagnosis is we have a strong heartbeat so let’s not lose the patient. The hard work has to continue.  A full profile of the 7s squad and their performance is on the way.
 
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Kenya XV Head Coach Michael "Tank" Otieno has declared his side's intention to play total rugby during their Victoria Cup fixture against Zimbabwe on Saturday. The former Kenyan international, veteran of four matches against Zimbabwe in 1981, 1985, 1987 and 1989 expects his opponents to be strong saying, " Zimbabwe has been a strong nation in African rugby. Do not underestimate them. I expect them to have strong forwards and great skill levels." He was speaking to the press at the RFUEA grounds while naming his twenty two man squad ahead of Saturday's clash at the same venue.
The squad sees Quins youngsters David Ambunya and Patrice "Situational" Agunda earn their first senior call ups. Peter Abuoga and Impala prop Nzioka Muema have also been called up to the Kenyan side .Impala's Innocent Simiyu who was in the winning teams when Kenya played Zimbabwe in 2002 and 2003 captains the side and will be assisted by Nondescripts lock Michael Aung.

The squad:
1. Daniel Kiptoo (Quins), 2. Vincent Ongera (Quins), 3.Joel Ng'anga (Quins), 4. Wilson K'Opondo (Machine), 5. Michael Aung (Nondies, Vice Captain), 6. Ben Nyambu (Nondies), 7. David Mogere (Quins), 8. Paul Oimbo (Impala), 9. Peter Mutai (KCB), 10. Nato Simiyu (Impala), 11. Peter Abuoga (Quins), 12. Patrice Agunda (Quins), 13. Innocent Simiyu (Impala, Captain),14. Victor Sudi (Quins), 15. Vincent Mose (Impala), 16. Edwin Alubaka (KCB),17. Nzioka Muema (Impala), 18. Tony Mutai (Quins), 19. Andrew Amonde (KCB), 20. Charles Kanyi (Nondies), 21. David Ambunya (Quins), 22. Naftaly Bondo (Quins)

Meanwhile Frank Ndong, a veteran of the squad that beat Zimbabwe 33-24 in 2002 before following it up with another 19-12 win in 2003 has urged the current side to put a lot of effort in everything they do, saying, "We have to be as professional as we possibly can. Zimbabwe will come out guns blazing... and remember, the unforgiving Nairobi crowd will be watching." He wished the side well and hoped they could emulate the class of 2002/2003 that recorded back to back victories over Zimbabwe.