The Lady Cranes opened their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup 2026 tournament with a 43-10 defeat to the Kenya Lionesses at RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi on Saturday. Uganda kicked off the contest after the anthems, setting the tone for a fiercely contested East African derby.

Kenya made the faster start and used their pace and physicality to put Uganda under pressure early in the contest. The hosts were sharp in contact and effective in the set-piece, with their mauls putting Lady Cranes under sustained pressure throughout the match.

Uganda responded through Cabrine Kirabo, who scored the try, while Bushira Namutebi added the conversion and later the penalty. Lady Cranes showed more intent after the restart, but the hosts remained clinical when it mattered.

The match also handed valuable international exposure to debutants Getrude Kateesa, Unity Namulala, Justin Anguchia and Shaine Babirye, who all earned their first caps for the Lady Cranes XVs. Their introduction was one of the positives from a difficult opening fixture.

Faith Livoi led the Lionesses superbly and was deservedly named Player of the Match after a standout performance.

Uganda will now turn their attention to South Africa, who they face on Wednesday 27 May at RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi. The Lady Cranes will need to cut out the handling errors, tighten their discipline and make more of the opportunities they create if they are to respond strongly in their second match.

The result leaves Lady Cranes with plenty at stake in the rest of the tournament, as their place at this level remains on the line.

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