The Uganda Rugby Union (URU) officially launched its national safeguarding initiative — U-SAFE — during the Rugby Africa Cup 2025 opening matchday held on July 8 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Namboole.
The launch marked a significant milestone in Uganda’s rugby development, introducing a structured approach to protecting children and vulnerable persons involved in the sport. The initiative is aimed at embedding a lasting culture of safety, dignity, and protection across all levels of rugby in Uganda.
While U-SAFE activities ran throughout the tournament primarily in the form of awareness and education, URU emphasized that this was just the beginning of a long-term journey. U-SAFE is based on international safeguarding frameworks, particularly the International Safeguards for Children and Adults in Sport, and seeks to build robust systems for prevention, reporting, and response.
“This is a soft but symbolic launch,” said Dorothy Nekesa, URU Executive Member and Lead for U-SAFE. “It may not yet meet every procedural benchmark, but it demonstrates our strong commitment to ensuring that every child and vulnerable person in rugby is safe, heard, and protected.”
Nekesa also confirmed that URU had signed the safeguarding pledge with World Rugby, aligning with the global body’s commitment to safe sport. She noted that safeguarding will now be a core component of all URU competitions, starting with the upcoming National 7s Series.
To reinforce the safeguarding framework, members of URU’s safeguarding and tournament teams have already undergone specialized training. Some have completed courses in Safeguarding in Sport Practice and Effective Safeguarding, which were developed in partnership with the Open University and endorsed by World Rugby. Others are currently pursuing these certifications, ensuring continued alignment with international best practices.
“This is not just about ticking boxes,” Nekesa added. “It’s about creating real, sustainable change in how sport is experienced — especially by children and vulnerable individuals. We welcome guidance, collaboration, and support from partners as we build this safeguarding culture together.”
The URU hopes the U-SAFE initiative will serve as a catalyst for other sports federations in Africa to adopt similar safeguarding practices.
