Eight nations will compete at Kyadondo Rugby Ground as Uganda targets qualification for the 2027 World Rugby Sevens
Uganda is set to host the 2026 Africa Men’s Rugby Sevens Series on September 26–27 at Kyadondo Rugby Ground, with eight nations expected to compete for continental ranking points and a place in the qualification pathway for the 2027 World Rugby Sevens.
The tournament was officially unveiled at the Uganda Media Center, with hosts Uganda joined by Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Morocco.
Qualification on the Line
The two-day tournament carries significance beyond the competition itself, with the participating teams competing for a coveted route toward the global sevens stage.
The final results will also determine Africa’s third through eighth positions in the official 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Ranking.
The tournament winner will take third place, while the lowest-ranked team will occupy eighth position.
Uganda Preparing for Home Tournament
Uganda Rugby Union (URU) president Godwin Kayangwe said the federation is working closely with the government as preparations continue for the tournament.
Speaking to East African Watch, Kayangwe said Uganda is confident of delivering a successful event while preparing a competitive team for the tournament.
“We are confident that Uganda will host an excellent tournament and we are preparing well for it. Uganda is also preparing a strong and competitive team determined to win the tournament and secure qualification for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series,” Kayangwe said.
Playing on home soil will give Uganda an opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd while attempting to secure a strong position in the continental rankings.
Mauritius to Host Final Tournament
The 2026 season will conclude with the Mauritius Sevens Tournament, featuring eight teams divided into two pools.
Pool A will consist of South Africa, Burkina Faso, Mauritius and Egypt, while Madagascar, Kenya, Namibia and Réunion will compete in Pool B.
A four-team Women’s Invitational Tournament will also take place alongside the men’s competition, featuring South Africa, Réunion, Morocco and Mauritius.
Ranking Positions
Under the 2026 ranking framework, South Africa and Kenya will retain the first and second positions in Africa, regardless of their results at the Mauritius tournament, as both nations are already established within the global sevens pathway.
The remaining teams competing in Mauritius will be ranked from ninth to 13th, according to their final tournament results.
The overall winner of the Mauritius Sevens Tournament will secure ninth place in the continental rankings.
With qualification and ranking positions at stake, attention now turns to Kyadondo Rugby Ground, where Uganda and seven visiting nations will begin their campaign on September 26.
The above sports article was written by Thomas Muruka
Email: muruka30@gmail.com
Based in Toronto, Canada
