After a tournament filled with high drama, narrow defeats, and bold comebacks, the Victoria Pearls leave Kigali with heads held high and a bronze medal in hand.
The third-place finish at the 11th Kwibuka Women’s T20 may not have been the ultimate goal, but it capped off a week where Uganda’s women showed grit, heart, and growth.
“It was very hard for us to lift our spirits. A third-place match isn’t always easy to play because it feels like there’s nothing to fight for,” admitted all-rounder Stephanie Nampiina after the win over Rwanda.
“But we’ve learned a lot here. We’ll go back, work on the areas we need to fix, and focus on the August qualifiers.”
Uganda came within a whisker of making the final, losing to Zimbabwe HPC by just one run in a painful semifinal that left the squad emotionally drained. But instead of folding, they regrouped, brought in fresh faces like debutant Sarah Tino, and ended their campaign with a commanding win.
The tournament also offered valuable lessons for the coaching staff, who now have clarity on key performers and team balance heading into a packed calendar.
From Janet Mbabazi’s leadership to Rita Musamali’s electric fielding and the emergence of young stars like Tino, there’s a renewed sense of belief in Uganda’s cricket camp.
Tanzania took home the title, lifting the Kwibuka trophy for the third time after previous wins in 2019 and 2022.
