Uganda Rugby 7s head coach Otim Allan sees the 2026 Driftwood 7s as more than just another tournament on the calendar with the Mombasa competition providing an important opportunity to assess his players and fine-tune the team ahead of the Africa Men’s 7s Series.

Uganda have been handed an invitational slot at the 36th edition of the Driftwood 7s, which will take place at Mombasa Sports Club from August 21–23. Their return to the tournament will also mark the first appearance by Uganda’s Emerging 7s side since 2013.

For Otim, the timing of the competition could not be better. Uganda are preparing to host the 2026 Africa Men’s 7s Series on September 26–27, with Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana and Tunisia expected to join the hosts in what promises to be a highly competitive continental contest.

Speaking while announcing his squad for the Driftwood 7s, Otim said the SportPesa National 7s circuit 4th leg will give several players an opportunity to prove themselves while allowing the technical team to work on the style of rugby they want to take into the continental competition.

“We have named a team that we are looking forward to. Some of them haven’t played the other tournaments we have been part of before, so we are giving them an opportunity to set themselves ready for the tournament that is coming in September,” Otim said.

The coach believes exposing his players to competitive opposition in Kenya will help Uganda identify the combinations and approach that can give them the best chance when the Africa Men’s 7s Series arrives.

“So this is one of our trial games, trying to fine-tune the way we want to play, the way we want to represent ourselves as Uganda 7s,” he added.

The travelling squad combines experience with emerging talent, with Ian Munyani named captain and Alex Aturinda taking up the vice-captaincy. The pair will be expected to provide leadership to a relatively youthful squad as Uganda make their long-awaited return to one of Kenya’s oldest and most established sevens tournaments.

Their assignment, however, will not be straightforward.

Uganda have been placed in Pool B, where they will face Kabeberi 7s champions KCB Rugby who were also crowned the Prinsloo 7s champions, Blak Blad and Kisumu RFC. KCB arrive in Mombasa with confidence after successfully defending their Kabeberi title setting up an intriguing meeting between the Ugandan visitors and one of Kenya’s leading sevens outfits.

The tournament will therefore give Otim a valuable opportunity to test his players against quality opposition while also gauging how well they respond to the intensity of Kenyan sevens rugby.

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Uganda’s participation adds an international flavour to the fourth leg of the 2026 SportPesa National 7s Circuit while their return after more than a decade gives the Emerging 7s side an opportunity to reconnect with a tournament they last featured in 2013.

For Otim, however, the bigger picture remains September.

With Uganda set to host the Africa Men’s 7s Series, every minute on the Mombasa pitch will count as the coach works towards building a side capable of competing with some of the continent’s strongest teams.

Driftwood will consequently serve as both a competition and a testing ground a chance for players to force their way into the plans while giving the coaching staff valuable answers before the stakes rise on home soil.

Uganda 7s squad for Driftwood 7s

1. Ian Munyani (Captain)
2. Alex Aturinda (Vice-Captain)
3. Roy Kizito
4. Desire Ayera
5. Olang Allan
6. Patrick Okello
7. Tukei Aaron
8. Malcom Okello
9. Ssembusi Shakim
10. Etwau Dennis
11. Otim Daniel
12. Bulima Ivan
13. Karim Arinaitwe

Head Coach:Otim Allan

Team Manager:Michael Wandera

Physiotherapist:Samuel Asiimwe