Walukuba Barbarians etched their names into Uganda rugby historical past after they gained the 2025 National 7s title.
First, Walukuba defeated the Heathens within the first circuit of final yr’s sequence, then went on to be constant within the Gulu and Entebbe circuits to maintain themselves across the high. Their true intentions had been made clear after they gained the Kyabazinga 7s at house to go on high of the leaderboard.
Walukuba’s splendid efficiency may virtually be zeroed down to a few key gamers: Ivan Bulima, who was the general sequence MVP, Gift Wokorach, the playmaker, and Shakim Sembusi, the finisher.
Senior gamers Bob Kawanda and Edward Emiemu put in a powerful shift right here and there, but it surely was the children like Matthew Oluka and Shafik Manisur who stood up and performed fearlessly towards their extra seasoned opponents.
This yr, Walukuba misplaced Sembusi to Entebbe Mongers, however their manufacturing belt solely appears to be churning out much more younger skills of their teenagers. Coach Leonard Lubambula seems at this as a blessing, as he’s recognized to be a nurturer of gamers.
“In our setup, youth isn’t an excuse; it’s our greatest asset. Young gamers convey fearless vitality, pure restoration pace, and an enthusiasm that spreads by way of the whole squad. Our job as technical employees is to again that uncooked expertise with elite structural readability,” he notes with satisfaction.
With the 2026 National 7s for Walukuba to defend or lose, Lubambula notes that he has made it clear to his staff that everybody else might be gunning for them.
“We addressed the ‘goal on our again’ early in pre-season. We advised the group that we aren’t defending a title that means sitting again and defending one thing up to now. We are on the entrance foot, looking for the following trophy. Pressure is a privilege; it means you earned the proper to be shot at. When you put on the champions’ mantle, each opposition staff treats their fixture towards you as their cup closing,” Lubambula remarks.
The Walukuba gaffer additional reassured Barbarians’ followers that his younger fees are dealing with the stress ‘with excessive starvation and nil complacency’ as they exit into the marketing campaign to retain their title.
“Winning it as soon as proves you have got the standard; defending it proves you have got the tradition. Our roadmap for this season isn’t about doing something radical; it’s about relentless consistency and bodily preparation. The vitality in camp is sharp, centered, and relaxed. They love the massive event, and that aggressive edge is constructed into how we practice each single day,” Lubambula concludes.
