Uganda Rugby Union (URU) has withdrawn the Lady Rugby Cranes 7s team from the World Rugby HSBC 7s Challenger Series, specifically the Krakow leg. The decision was announced on March 17, 2025, following an executive committee meeting on March 15. URU cited visa acquisition challenges as the primary reason, stating that despite their early efforts, securing visas in time was not feasible.
However, sources indicate that financial constraints played a significant role in the decision. The cost of visas, flights, and other requirements for the entire team and management was estimated at UGX 26.87 million. With the need to travel to Nairobi for visa processing, URU faced additional logistical and financial burdens it could not afford amid existing commitments.
This withdrawal is especially disheartening as the Lady Rugby Cranes had already qualified for the tournament after competing in Cape Town. The team had begun preparations and knew their opponents, making the decision a major setback. While Uganda had no mathematical chance of advancing further, the experience gained from participating would have been valuable.
With limited resources, URU has shifted focus to the Rugby Africa Women’s Division I Tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for April 9-20. The union believes this move will provide an opportunity for the Lady Cranes XVs to compete for promotion to the Rugby Africa Women’s Performance Division.
The withdrawal also impacts the Uganda Women’s Rugby Premiership, as several players from participating clubs will be called up for national duty. This could lead to disruptions or postponements in the league. The decision effectively ends the Lady Rugby Cranes 7s campaign for 2025, leaving the Rugby Africa 7s as their only remaining competition this season.
