Uganda’s Rugby Cranes 7s have been compelled to withdraw from the 2026 Rugby Africa Males’s Sevens Championship in Mauritius after Ebola-related journey restrictions prevented the workforce from getting into the island nation.
Uganda Rugby confirmed the event on Wednesday, bringing an finish to the nationwide workforce’s hopes of competing within the continental match scheduled for June 20-21 at SPARC in Cascavelle, Mauritius.
The withdrawal follows measures launched by Mauritian authorities barring entry to overseas nationals who’ve travelled from, transited via, or been current in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or South Sudan inside the earlier 21 days.
In an announcement, Uganda Rugby President Godwin Arinaitwe Kayangwe mentioned the federation had no choice however to tug the workforce out of the competitors.
“Uganda Rugby wish to inform stakeholders and followers that the Rugby Cranes 7s won’t take part within the 2026 Rugby Africa Mauritius Sevens,” Kayangwe mentioned.
The match was anticipated to convey collectively 12 of Africa’s prime rugby nations, together with defending champions South Africa, hosts Mauritius, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Morocco, Madagascar, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.
Uganda’s absence is a serious blow to the Rugby Cranes 7s, who had been making ready to compete towards among the continent’s finest groups in a championship that additionally types a part of Rugby Africa’s fortieth anniversary celebrations.
Regardless of the setback, Uganda Rugby revealed that discussions are ongoing with Rugby Africa and different stakeholders to discover various alternatives for the nationwide facet.
“Rugby Africa, the Rugby Committee and Uganda Rugby are actively partaking to discover prospects for HSBC Division 3 qualification,” the federation mentioned.
Uganda Rugby additionally harassed that the protection and well-being of gamers, officers and supporters stay a precedence because the Ebola outbreak continues to have an effect on journey and sporting actions throughout the area.
The event provides to a rising listing of disruptions affecting Ugandan sport resulting from Ebola-related restrictions. In current days, a number of worldwide engagements involving Ugandan nationwide groups have both been cancelled or affected by precautionary measures imposed by host nations.
Uganda Rugby says it is going to proceed partaking related authorities and supply updates as discussions relating to the workforce’s worldwide calendar progress.