Uganda Wins Africa Women's 7s Title with Dominant Campaign

Uganda's women's sevens team, the Lady Cranes, produced a flawless campaign at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, capturing their first continental crown since 2023. They defeated Tunisia 33-0 in Sunday's final, completing a six-match sweep across the tournament. The Ugandan side amassed 216 total points while conceding a mere 31 points defensively. This victory marked the end of a three-year continental championship drought for Uganda.

The Lady Cranes delivered a masterclass in sevens rugby, crushing Tunisia 33-0 to claim the 2026 Africa Women's 7s title. Uganda's march to the title was built on disciplined defense and relentless attacking phase-play. They had already ousted defending champions South Africa in the quarterfinals and edged host nation Kenya in a pulsating semifinal thriller. The Ugandan side played with ruthless precision from start to finish, underlining their status as Africa's rising powerhouse.

Uganda's path to glory included a 24-17 thriller against South Africa in the quarterfinals and a 19-14 win against Kenya Lionesses in the semifinals. In the final, Tunisia had no answers for Uganda's structure and speed, as the Lady Cranes ran in five unanswered tries while keeping their defensive line intact for a 33-0 shutout. This dominant performance showcased Uganda's strength and determination.

The tournament also witnessed a surprising shakeup among traditional heavyweights. Former champions South Africa endured a difficult outing, finishing down in sixth place after dropping their fifth-place playoff 17-12 to Zambia. Meanwhile, Madagascar edged Mauritius 22-12 to finish seventh. The results demonstrated the competitive nature of the tournament.

Host nation Kenya Lionesses recovered swiftly from their heartbreaking semifinal defeat to secure a podium finish. Kenya dominated Zimbabwe 27-7 in the third-place playoff, claiming the bronze medal on home soil. The final standings were: Uganda (Champions), Tunisia (Runners-up), Kenya Lionesses (Bronze), and Zimbabwe (4th Place).

With the continental trophy safely secured, Uganda's focus pivots immediately to the global stage. The Lady Cranes will travel to Dubai later this month to compete in the high-stakes HSBC SVNS 3 tournament, scheduled for November 27–28 at The Sevens Stadium. This event brings together elite international sides vying for promotion pathways.

The African championship provides invaluable momentum for Uganda as they aim to test their mettle against global competition. The Lady Cranes will look to build on their dominant performance in Nairobi and make a strong impression in Dubai. Collins Ng'ang'a, a journalist and sports writer at Ghetto Radio, reported on the event.

Key points

• Uganda's women's sevens team wins Africa Women's 7s title with a dominant campaign.
• The Lady Cranes will travel to Dubai to compete in the HSBC SVNS 3 tournament.
• Kenya Lionesses secure the bronze medal on home soil.