In a powerful fusion of sport and tradition, the Kyabazinga 7’s rugby tournament was officially launched on Monday 1st September 2025 at a vibrant ceremony held at Kati Kati in Lugogo. The tournament, hosted by the Walukuba Barbarians and held in honour of the Kyabazinga of Busoga Kingdom, represents a groundbreaking cultural heritage partnership designed to celebrate and unite the community through the thrilling spectacle of rugby.
The launch event was attended by a host of dignitaries and great personalities from both sporting and cultural spheres. The gathering included the Chairman of the 7’s, Desire DerekFord Mugumisa, Walukuba Chairman Waiswa Simon Peter, URU Vice Chairman Technical Eric Butime, Hon. Secretary URU Peter Odongo, URU CEO Isaac Lutwama, and Tournament Director Mwigo Allen.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Katukiro of Busoga Kingdom, Owek. Dr. Joseph Muvawala Nsekere who represented the Kyabazinga.
In a speech that resonated deeply with the audience, the Katukiro shared his personal connection to the sport, revealing his own experience playing rugby as a young man in 1999. He articulated the intrinsic link between athletics and tradition, stating, “Culture and Sports are attached and are very emotional. I want to thank URU for guiding and growing that emotion in the right way.”
Emphasizing the kingdom’s full endorsement of the initiative, Owek. Dr. Muvawala declared, “Most importantly as a kingdom, we stand for unity, the fact that I am here today, shows that the kingdom has fully embraced the sport and we’ll do whatever it takes to support the sport.”
The Katikiro’s announcement took on a particularly celebratory tone as he used the occasion to extend an invitation to the entire kingdom. “I would also like to take this appointment to launch the Kyabazinga 7’s and call all the Basoga, all the schools we control to participate, and I hope the new Princes will play rugby too!” he said. This joyful remark was a direct reference to the recent arrival of the twin Princes, Prince William Ethan Nadiope, and Prince Arnold Eli Nadiope, who were born on August 27th, 2025, a timely and cheerful addition to the royal family just days before the tournament’s launch.
Gratitude was also extended to MTN Uganda for their long-standing support of rugby and to the Uganda Rugby Union for their unwavering dedication to developing the sport across the nation. The formal ceremony concluded with a symbolic gesture, in which Eric Butime, the Vice Chairman Technical of URU and Chairman of the Walukuba Barbarians, Waiswa Simon Peter gifted a Uganda Rugby Union jersey and a Walukuba Jersey, respectively, to the Kyabazinga, cementing the partnership.
All eyes now turn to Jinja this weekend, where the pitches will come alive with the spirit of competition, unity, and royal celebration at the Kyabazinga 7’s tournament!
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