The Uganda Schools Rugby Select XV has been flagged off to represent the country at the 2025 World Schools Festival in Abu Dhabi, marking Uganda’s return to the global schools rugby stage after more than a decade.
The team was officially seen off on Friday, 12th December, 2025, during a ceremony attended by officials from the Uganda Rugby Union (URU), parents, and key stakeholders in school rugby.
The function was presided over by the chairman of the Uganda Schools Rugby Association (USRA), Dickson Okello, together with URU officials.
The travelling contingent consists of 31 players selected from seven leading secondary schools: Kings College Budo, Makerere College School, Mbarara High School, Namilyango College, Nyakasura School, St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK), and Greenhill Academy.
Speaking at the ceremony, URU Vice President in charge of Technical Affairs, Eric Butime, urged the players to view the tournament as a pathway to higher honours in the sport.
“This is more than a tournament, it is an investment in the futures of Ugandan rugby,” Butime said.
Vice Captain Arthur Lukoda, speaking on behalf of the squad, said the team was ready to compete with professionalism.
“The players are going to compete with discipline and pride while in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
The team is led by head coach Brian Makalama and team manager Dennis Etuket. It will compete in Pool B against strong opposition including Paul Roos II from South Africa, Saint Kentigern from New Zealand, and the Junior Sables from Zimbabwe.
The Uganda Schools Rugby Select XV will open its campaign on Sunday, December 14, against the Junior Sables.
The team will then face Saint Kentigern on Tuesday, December 16, before concluding the pool matches against Paul Roos II on Thursday, December 18.
The team captains are Kantinti Elijah Richard Musoke, who serves as captain, and Arthur Lukoda as vice captain.
The World Schools Festival, organized by the World Schools Rugby Council, brings together elite schoolboy teams from across the world and aims to promote youth development, international exchange, and the discovery of future rugby stars.
