Walukuba Barbarians have been crowned champions of the opening circuit of the 2026 Rugby 7s Series after defeating Buffaloes 12–10 in a thrilling final held at Stone City.
The narrow victory earned Walukuba Barbarians the honour of becoming the first circuit winners of the season, while Buffaloes settled for the runners-up position after a fiercely contested encounter.
Hoppos chairman Janan Manzi described the final as a challenging but valuable experience for his team. He noted that the fixture was played on a public holiday, which limited preparation and warm-up time, but said the experience of competing under floodlights would benefit the players going forward.
Manzi praised his team’s commitment and resilience, highlighting the determination they showed throughout the tournament.
Walukuba Barbarians captain Ivan Bulima credited his side’s experience as the difference in securing the circuit title, warning rivals that the team is ready for the challenges ahead.
With focus now shifting to the next stage of the series, Bulima said the team is building momentum ahead of the Lujumba circuit.
“Winning a tournament at home is worth celebrating as defending champions. We are building momentum for the next circuit so that we can come back home as victors in Lujumba 7s,” Bulima said.
Walukuba head coach Leonard Lubambula admitted that adjusting to floodlit conditions was a concern at the start of the tournament, but said the Stone City victory had provided confidence ahead of the next challenge.
He explained that aerial balls proved difficult for players as they struggled to adapt to the lighting conditions, which occasionally affected visibility during matches.
Lubambula also revealed that the team had only 15 minutes to warm up because of delays caused by the National Cleaning Day activities, which restricted other engagements.
“It was a competitive game, but the boys responded quickly and put us ahead. The technical bench is now focused on building on this momentum, preparing and motivating the players ahead of the Lujumba circuit,” Lubambula said.
The victory gives Walukuba Barbarians an early advantage in the 2026 Rugby 7s Series as teams prepare for the remaining circuits on the calendar.
