Uganda Rugby has launched the 2026 Rugby Sevens Series, with the inaugural Stone City 7s in Jinja set to open a six-leg season that will culminate at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
The season opener, hosted by Jinja Hippos Rugby Club and Ruck Yard Club, will be held in Jinja before the circuit moves to Rujumba, Kyadondo and other venues, followed by the Kyabazinga 7s and the grand finale in Wankulukuku.
This year's competition has been expanded to feature 12 men's core teams and eight women's core teams, increasing participation and competition across both categories.
Speaking at the launch at Jinja Golf Club, Uganda Rugby Chief Executive Isaac Lutwama Nsubuga said the series remains one of the country's premier rugby competitions and praised partners supporting the sport's continued growth.
"We are looking forward to a robust competition that will now help us excel on the national stage," Lutwama said.
He announced that, unlike previous editions, there will be no invitational teams this season, with all participating clubs competing as part of the core series.
Lutwama also unveiled a new promotion and relegation system designed to strengthen competition and create opportunities for emerging clubs.
Regional qualifying tournaments will feed into the main circuit, with the two best-performing teams earning promotion while the bottom two teams in the core series will be relegated.
"The two winners will now play promotional stages to be promoted, and two teams relegated," he said.
The opening leg will also mark the return of floodlit rugby to the national sevens circuit for the first time in a decade.
Matches on the opening day, Friday, July 24, will begin at 8:00 p.m. and continue into the night under the tournament theme, Tukikube, in a move organisers say is intended to improve the fan experience.
Jinja Hippos Rugby Club chairman Jonan Manzi welcomed the return of night rugby, saying the format would provide supporters with a more enjoyable match-day atmosphere than daytime fixtures played in intense heat.
He also applauded the entry of new commercial partners, saying increased sponsorship would help grow the sport.
Nile Breweries and Harris International, makers of Nile Special and Rock Boom, reaffirmed their support for Ugandan rugby during the launch.
NBS Sport Brand Manager Desire Mugumisa said the broadcaster remains committed to promoting local sport and called for greater emphasis on telling the stories of clubs and players.
He added that expanded television coverage of club rugby would play an important role in raising the profile of the game and attracting more fans and commercial investment.
The Uganda Rugby Sevens Series serves as the country's premier domestic sevens competition and provides a platform for identifying talent for the national rugby sevens teams while helping clubs build competitive squads for regional and international tournaments.
