KAMPALA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's national rugby sevens team will not participate in the 2026 Rugby Africa Mauritius Sevens due to travel restrictions linked to the recent Ebola outbreak, the president of Uganda Rugby announced on Wednesday.
Godwin Annailwe Kayangwe said the decision was prompted by measures imposed by Mauritius following developments related to the Ebola outbreak, making it impossible for the team to travel to the tournament.
The championship is scheduled for June 20-21 in Mauritius and forms part of Rugby Africa's 40th anniversary celebrations.
"Uganda Rugby would like to inform stakeholders and fans that the Rugby Cranes 7s will not participate in the 2026 Rugby Africa Mauritius Sevens," said Kayangwe in a statement released on Wednesday.
He said the decision followed the recent Ebola outbreak and Mauritius' temporary prohibition on the entry of foreign nationals who have traveled from, transited through, or been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the preceding 21 days.
"Rugby Africa, the Rugby Committee, and Uganda Rugby are actively engaging to explore possibilities for HSBC Division 3 qualification," added the Uganda Rugby president.
Teams expected to compete in the tournament include Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana and host Mauritius.
