The Uganda Rugby Cranes 7s team has become the latest casualty of the Ebola outbreak after being blocked from participating in the 2026 Rugby Africa Mauritius Sevens tournament.In a shocking development that has left players, coaches and fans devastated, the Uganda Rugby Union (URU) confirmed that the national team will not travel to Mauritius following restrictions imposed by the island nation on travellers from countries affected by the Ebola outbreak.
The announcement was made in an official statement issued by URU President Godwin Kayangwe. According to the statement, Mauritius has temporarily prohibited entry of foreign nationals travelling from, transiting through, or who have been present within the previous 21 days in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
The restriction comes amid growing concerns over the Ebola outbreak in the region. “This decision follows the recent Ebola outbreak and the temporary prohibition of entry into Mauritius of foreign nationals who are travelling from, transiting through, or who have been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Uganda, or the Republic of South Sudan within the preceding 21 days,” Kayangwe stated.The decision effectively knocks Uganda out of one of Africa’s most important rugby sevens competitions.
Dreams Put on Hold
For the Rugby Cranes players, the news landed like a hammer blow. The national team had spent weeks preparing for the tournament under the guidance of head coach Tolbert Onyango, hoping to impress on the continental stage and strengthen their chances of progressing to higher levels of international competition. One devastated player, who requested anonymity, described the situation as heartbreaking.
“Our dreams are getting shattered. We have been training hard every day, sacrificing time with our families and pushing ourselves to the limit. To hear that we cannot even travel because of circumstances beyond our control is painful,” the player said.
Several players reportedly learned of the development shortly before the official statement was released. Many had already begun making travel preparations and were eagerly awaiting the chance to represent Uganda.
Kayangwe Speaks Out
URU President Godwin Kayangwe said the federation had no choice but to respect the restrictions imposed by Mauritius authorities.
“The safety and well-being of our players, staff and supporters remains our priority. While this is a disappointing development for everyone involved, we understand the circumstances surrounding the decision,” Kayangwe said.
He revealed that discussions are ongoing between Uganda Rugby, Rugby Africa and tournament organizers to explore alternative pathways for Uganda’s participation in future competitions.
“Rugby Africa, the Rugby Committee and Uganda Rugby are actively engaging to explore possibilities for HSBC Division Three qualification. We remain committed to keeping our athletes active and competitive despite this setback,” he added.Kayangwe also appealed to rugby fans to remain calm and continue supporting the national team. “This is not the end of our journey. Rugby Cranes remains one of the strongest sevens teams on the continent and we shall continue working towards future opportunities.”
Coach Tolbert Onyango Disappointed
National team head coach Tolbert Onyango admitted the news had left both players and technical staff frustrated.The coach said preparations had been progressing well and morale in camp had been high before the announcement.
“We had prepared extensively for this tournament. The players have been working hard and showing tremendous commitment. Naturally, everyone is disappointed because this was an opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best teams in Africa,” Onyango said.
The coach noted that sport often suffers when health emergencies arise. “These are situations beyond rugby. Public health concerns must always be respected. Our responsibility now is to keep the players motivated and ready for the next assignment,” he added. Onyango said the technical bench would continue training programs while awaiting guidance from Rugby Africa on possible qualification alternatives. “We shall remain focused. The players have worked too hard to lose momentum.”
Fans React with Anger and Sadness
The announcement sparked mixed reactions among rugby supporters across Uganda.Many fans expressed disappointment on social media, arguing that the national team was being unfairly punished for circumstances beyond its control. Long-time rugby fan Ronald Kato described the development as a major setback.
“This team has been improving every year. We were looking forward to seeing them compete. It is unfortunate that health issues are now affecting sports,” he said. Another supporter, Sarah Namutebi, sympathized with the players.
“Imagine training for months and then being told you cannot travel. I feel sorry for the boys and coaches. We can only hope the situation improves soon.” Others called on Rugby Africa to provide Uganda with a fair qualification pathway. “If Uganda cannot participate because of travel restrictions, then Rugby Africa should find another solution. The players should not lose opportunities because of an outbreak,” said fan Brian Ssemanda.
What Uganda Stands to Lose
The Mauritius Sevens tournament was expected to provide valuable ranking points and international exposure for the Rugby Cranes.
Participation would also have strengthened Uganda’s ambitions of climbing the continental sevens ladder and pursuing qualification opportunities linked to the HSBC Sevens pathway.
Sports analyst Moses Mugisha said the absence could have long-term implications.
“International tournaments are important for player development, rankings and sponsorship visibility. Missing one event may not sound serious, but it can affect momentum and exposure for athletes.”
However, Mugisha believes Uganda Rugby acted responsibly. “When health authorities impose restrictions, sporting bodies have little room to manoeuvre. The priority must always be public safety.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, URU insists that all hope is not lost. The federation says discussions with Rugby Africa continue regarding possible alternatives linked to HSBC Division Three qualification. For now, players can only watch from afar as other nations compete in Mauritius.
The situation serves as another reminder of how disease outbreaks can impact far more than hospitals and communities, extending their reach into sports, tourism and international events.
As Uganda continues efforts to contain Ebola, rugby fans will be hoping that the national team soon returns to the continental stage where many believe it belongs.
Until then, the Rugby Cranes 7s must endure the pain of watching an opportunity slip away—not because they were defeated on the field, but because a health crisis thousands of kilometres away has changed the game before the first whistle could even blow.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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