National rugby league champions Remera Buffaloes are travelling to Uganda’s capital, Kampala this morning to take part in the two-day Hima-Mak 10s Rugby tournament which kick-offs tomorrow at Kyadondo Rugby Club.

The 16-man contingent leaves by bus. However, fly-half Louis Bikamba is not travel with the team after failing to recover from a nagging knee injury, which he suffered in training on Monday.

"He is definitely out. He still feels pain in the knee,” Buffaloes coach Gerard Nsenga confirmed.

His absence means that Buffaloes travel with a relatively inexperienced side. Seven of its top players also couldn’t travel with the side because they are preparing to sit for their secondary school final national exams. 

"It is very frustrating because we are traveling without most of our key players,” Nsenga acknowledged.

Meanwhile, the national champions could be in for an even tougher task after a likely late entry by Kenya’s United States International University (USIU).

The Kenyan side missed out in last week’s draw but has come into the picture after increasing doubts about Rhinos and Nile’s involvement.

According to the tournament’s organizing team, the two Uganda clubs are yet to confirm their participation. Should Nile pull out, USIU will be a direct replacement for the minnows that had been drawn in Pool A alongside reigning champions Mwamba, Ugandan giants Kobs and Remera Buffaloes.

Mwamba eclipsed Uganda’s MTN Heathens en route lifting last year’s title. It was the first time the trophy had crossed borders in the tournament’s history. With imperious displays in the Western Union Kenya 7s circuit, Mwamba are still the team to beat.

Ends