Emilly Lekuru has made history by becoming the first Ugandan woman to sign a professional rugby contract, joining Japan’s Hokkaido Barbarians Diana for the 2025 Taiyo Seimei Women’s 7s Series. The four-month contract marks a major milestone not only in her career but for Ugandan women’s rugby at large.
The dynamic winger, who plays domestically for Black Pearls RFC, has earned the nickname “Ferrari” for her blazing pace and lethal finishing. In the 2025 15s season alone, Lekuru scored a staggering 46 tries in just nine matches. Her 2024 tally included 69 tries in the league, and she also bagged 83 tries during the Uganda 7s campaign.
Lekuru’s rise has been meteoric. She starred at the Safari Sevens with Shogun Rugby and turned heads with Find Rugby Now at the 2024 Hong Kong 10s. The latter team credited her performance and explosive speed for helping her attract international attention.
“Emilly distinguished herself with her killer speed that left opponents stunned. We’re so proud to have played a part in her journey,” said Find Rugby Now in a statement.
Shogun Rugby Director Jonathan Hooper added, “46 tries in 9 games speaks for itself. This contract is richly deserved. Bigger clubs will definitely be watching her.”
Hokkaido Barbarians Diana, recently promoted to core-team status in Japan’s top-tier 7s league, have assembled a strong lineup for the 2025 season, including New Zealand’s Jazmin Felix-Hotham, a double Olympic gold medallist with the Black Ferns.
The Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series kicks off with a challenger tournament in Fukuoka on May 5–6, followed by three core events in Kumagaya, Kitakyushu, and Higashi-Osaka, culminating in a Grand Final in Sapporo on August 17.
