If 2025 was a good year for the Lady Rugby Cranes 15s, then 2026 promises to be even better.
With only a three-week preparation period before and between tournaments in 2025, the Lady Cranes performed beyond expectations, winning 4 out of 6 test matches.
Ahead of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, to be played in Nairobi from May 21st to 31st, the Lady Cranes have already started preparations. They have been having blowout sessions since the women’s league has yet to commence.
Notably, there has been a new but familiar face conducting these sessions. Coach Muhammad Athiyo has taken over from Charles Onen, who came in as a firefighter from the Lady Cranes 7s set up. Onen led the Ladies through qualification from Division II to staying up in Division I, a feat that Athiyo not only has to equal, but also surpass.
The first task at hand for Athiyo is guiding the Lady Cranes through the first test matches of the year against Tunisia, before facing the bigger challengers. The presence of current captain Angella Nanyonjo, with former 7s captain Peace Lekuru and current 7s captain Agnes Nakuya, is a boost for the camp in training, which boasts of future heavy hitters like Juliet Ainomugisha from the Ewes Rugby Club.
Athiyo is a serial winner at club level with the Heathens, and brings this mentality to the Lady Cranes 15s. All Ugandan rugby asks for is a dominant win against the Kenya Lionesses 15s, before the South Africa Springboks Women are even considered fair opposition.
Technical Staff
- Head Coach – Muhammad Athiyo
- Asst. Coach – Kigongo Ssebalamu
- Asst. Coach – Byron Okuba
- Team Manager – Dorcus Mundua Asiimire
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