The 2023 edition of the Kigezi High Altitude Rugby 7s scheduled for 22-23 September at Kabale Stadium in Kabale Municipality is expected to attract teams from across the East African region, the organizers have confirmed.
Day one of the tournament (Friday, 22nd September) will be for age grade/schools while the main event will be played the next day. The tournament is hosted by Rams RUFC and co-hosted by Kigezi Silverbacks and Kabale Berg.
Jude Rwakayanga who is one the lead tournament organizers says that they expect a very successful event with teams across the region expected in Kabale.
“We expect teams from Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi and DRC. We are also in talks with Tanzanian teams,” Rwakayanga said adding that local sides will also be in the mix including regional outfits with both men and women’s teams set to compete.
“For the age grade category, it’s majorly schools (primary and secondary) from around who will compete plus some schools from Fort Portal. But nevertheless we expect every successful tournament,” Rwakayanga, also Rams General Secretary added.
With Kabale being the home of silverbacks and other tourism attractions, the organizers of the tournament intend to make the event a tourism tournament and that’s why the winners’ trophy is designed in the shape of a gorilla, a representation of the Kigezi region.
“The main aim of the tournament is to raise Kabale and Kigezi as a region to an international level when it comes to sports tourism. We started this event in 2018 as a local tournament and by 2021 we had it as a national 7s circuit. This year (2023) we are launching an international circuit and we hope to maintain the standard where we will be inviting teams from Europe and across the world,” Rwakayanga noted.
“Apart from rugby, we expect teams to go for tourism activities on Sunday or before the tournament. Kigezi is famous for gorilla tracking, beautiful sights like Lake Bunyonyi and many other destinations and activities. This is a tourism tournament and we hope that in the future we will be able to attract teams from across the world,” Rwakayanga added.
The tournament partner are; Voice of Kigezi, Bunyonyi Safaris (offered prize money worth UGX 1 Million), Kabale Municipal Council, Western Uganda Rugby Union and Uganda Rugby Union.
