Uganda Lady Cranes player earns historic move to Japan
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 29.04.25. | 14:44
The historic transfer caps a sensational rise for Lekuru, who has dominated both the 15s and 7s scenes in Uganda
Uganda’s top rugby talent, Emilly Lekuru, has earned a groundbreaking move to Japan, becoming the first Ugandan woman to sign a professional rugby contract.
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The Black Pearls star, affectionately nicknamed Ferrari for her speed and scoring prowess, has signed a four-month deal with the Hokkaido Barbarians Diana.
The historic transfer caps a sensational rise for Lekuru, who has dominated both the 15s and 7s scenes in Uganda.
Last season, she was untouchable in the 15s league, crossing the whitewash 69 times.
This campaign, she was on pace to shatter that record again, registering 46 tries in just nine games before cutting her campaign short to prepare for her new professional journey.
She bowed out in style, scoring five tries in her final game against the Panthers at King’s Park, Bweyogerere.
Her move to Japan is a breakthrough moment for Ugandan women’s rugby.
Lekuru is not new to international assignments; last year, she featured at the prestigious Hong Kong 10s in April with UK-based franchise Find Rugby Now (FRN), alongside teammate Charlotte Mudoola.
Later, she joined Mudoola to represent the international side of Shogun Rugby at the 2023 Safari 7s in Kenya.
In Hong Kong, Lekuru fulfilled a lifelong dream of meeting and taking photos with her rugby idol, New Zealand legend Portia Woodman-Wikliffe, who had watched Lekuru play and was impressed.
In Uganda, Lekuru has also been a dominant force in the shorter format. In the 7s, she finished as top scorer with a jaw-dropping 83 solid tries.
While the Hokkaido Barbarians Diana is not the most decorated team in the Japan Taiyo Seimei Women's Sevens Series, it has become a magnet for top-tier global talent.
The Sapporo-based outfit previously fielded American powerhouse Nia Toliver—nicknamed "The American Lomu" and Dajain Brown, formerly of Moana Pasifika and the Blues.
Just two weeks ago, New Zealand’s Olympic gold medallist Jazmin Felix Hotham announced she would be joining the club for the upcoming 7s season.
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