Ndiho Media,LLC.

BY NDIHO MEDIA – KAMPALA, UGANDA

The 2025 Rugby Africa Cup has brought Kampala to life with high-octane rugby action, as eight of the continent’s finest clash for glory—and a coveted spot in the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup. The tournament features Zimbabwe, Algeria, Namibia, Kenya, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, and Morocco, all battling it out in front of roaring fans at Mandela National Stadium and Wankulukuku Stadium.

“This year’s tournament has been absolutely electric,” said David Monda, a Pan-African writer and rugby enthusiast covering the event on the ground. “Matchday two was stacked—Uganda played Morocco, Zimbabwe clashed with Kenya, Namibia took on Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire faced off with Senegal. The competition has been fierce.”

Uganda, the host nation, has faced an uphill battle. “The loss to Morocco shocked everyone,” Monda admitted. Morocco entered as the lowest-ranked team, having been newly promoted from the second tier. For them to beat Uganda on home soil? That’s a wake-up call.”

He pointed out a clear divide forming in the tournament: “You can see the top four—Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Algeria—are operating at a higher technical level. But Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, and Morocco are fighting hard and showing moments of brilliance.”

Monda also highlighted how the Cup is impacting Uganda’s international profile. “Hosting back-to-back tournaments is huge,” he said. “It puts Uganda on the map for sports tourism and diplomacy. But it also brings scrutiny—especially when the home team underperforms.”

Looking ahead to the final on Saturday, July 19, Monday believes Namibia remains the favorite. “They’ve got the experience and a psychological edge. But don’t count out Zimbabwe—they’re hungry, and they’ve already beaten the UAE in a friendly. If they don’t win the final, they still have a shot through the repechage.”

Beyond the scorelines, Monda emphasized the need for deeper investment in African rugby. “We need better funding, stronger player welfare, and more regional competitions,” he said. “If Africa’s going to compete globally, we have to build from the grassroots up.”

As finals weekend approaches, Uganda finds itself in a fight for both pride and survival. A loss to Côte d’Ivoire could see the Cranes relegated to tier two.