Uganda’s campaign at the 2025 CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Dar es Salaam has been anything but smooth.
The defending champions, Crested Cranes, kicked off the tournament with a shock 1-0 loss to Burundi, bounced back with a big win against South Sudan, but were brought back down with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Kenya.
In their opener, Uganda dominated possession but couldn’t break down Burundi’s defence. Then came the sucker punch — Esperance Habonimana’s second-half free kick stunned the Crested Cranes and gave Burundi a historic win.
Uganda responded in style. Facing South Sudan, the Crested Cranes roared back with a 5-0 win.
Sylvia Kabene led the charge with a first-half hat-trick. Shamirah Nalugya and skipper Zainah Namuleme also got on the scoresheet. It was a strong reaction after the disappointment of matchday one.
But just when it looked like momentum had returned, Uganda crashed again.
Against Kenya, they started brightly but fell apart after the opening 20 minutes.
Diana Wacera opened the scoring for Kenya, before Dorcas Sikobe Nixon and Violet Nanjala added two more before halftime.
Uganda tried to regroup, with Sylvia Kabene threatening, but couldn’t beat Kenya’s keeper Lilian Onyango Awuor. Martha Emedot added a late fourth to pile on the misery.
Now with one win and two losses, Uganda sits third in the standings with three points.
The tournament follows a round-robin format, so there’s still one more game left — a must-win against hosts Tanzania.
The pressure’s now on head coach Sheryl Botes and her squad. Having last won the title in 2022, the Crested Cranes need to find their rhythm again fast if they’re to finish on a high.
Uganda’s final match comes against Tanzania, the highest-scoring team in the tournament.
