The She Cranes have started preparations for the 2025 Vitality netball Nations Cup due next month in the United Kingdom with Rashid Mubiru named the new head coach, replacing James Nelson Bogere.
Four countries; Uganda, England, South Africa and Malawi will compete at this year’s Vitality Nations Cup due February 1-9 in the United Kingdom.
The She Cranes commenced non-residential training on Monday at Makerere University before crossing to Lugogo Arena.
Uganda netball Vice President Technical Richard Muhumuza confirmed that Rashid Mubiru and Ruth Meeme have been appointed the head and assistant coaches respectively for only the Vitality assignment.
“We shall give everybody a chance when the time for recruiting the head coach comes. We need a world-class coach. After the Vitality tournament, we shall embark on recruiting a permanent head coach,” noted Muhumuza.
Mubiru also revealed that coaches selected the team from the top five clubs who nominated 12 players each and the most nominated got into the squad.
A total of 22 players were summoned for Mubiru who returns to the national team setup after stints in 2015 and 2019. He previously led the She Cranes at the 2015 Netball World Cup and masterminded Uganda’s victory at the World University Netball Championship held at Makerere University.
“There is little time left and I think they looked at my experience. I have coached most of the girls and those on professional careers abroad,” noted Mubiru.
The Vitality Cup will be the third international tournament under the new Netball Uganda formation and leadership of Jocelyne Ucanda.
Under the sidelined Bogere, the She Cranes finished historic third at the Fast Five World Series and second at the Netball Africa Cup last year.
