By Daniel Nyeko
The long-standing trophy impasse that gripped Ugandan netball finally reached a historic resolution.
In a ceremony held on Wednesday, April 1 at Copper Chimney, Lugogo, KCCA Netball Club was officially awarded the silverware and crowned 2025 Uganda Netball Super League (UNSL) champions, marking the end of a staggering 42-year title drought.
Breaking the Jinx
The “Kasasiro Girls” last won a league trophy in 1983. The club has often been the bridesmaid of the league, finishing runners-up for the past three consecutive seasons. However, their 2025 UNSL campaign proved to be their redemption.
They secured victory mathematically in December 2025 after a grueling 44–41 win over perennial rivals Uganda Prisons at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
During Netball Uganda’s Annual General Meeting on February 28, 2026, President Jocelyn Ucanda explicitly stated that the federation was not in a financial position to facilitate a befitting awarding ceremony at that time.
The Architect: Fred Mugerwa’s Technical Masterclass
Credit for the triumph goes to Head Coach Fred Mugerwa. Despite his legendary status with the She Cranes, a top-flight league title was the missing piece of his puzzle.
Mugerwa’s ability to stabilize the squad and navigate high-pressure final quarters against defensive giants Prisons and National Insurance Corporation (NIC) was impeccable. His leadership provided the tactical tenacity required to break NIC’s dominance, which has characterized the league for years.
Shaffie Nalwanja: The Shield of KCCA Netball Club
While the team effort was collective, the 2025 season belonged to Shaffie Nalwanja. Crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), Nalwanja’s journey to the podium is one of pure inspiration. After a devastating knee injury in 2023 sidelined her for over a year, her return in 2025 was nothing short of miraculous.
Commanding the circle with class and confidence, Nalwanja proved to be an impenetrable fortress. Her MVP honors and Best Defender recognition cement her status as one of the finest athletes in the country.
Ending the Impasse
The official crowning was delayed due to financial and administrative hurdles within Netball Uganda, leading to a period of uncertainty that many fans labeled a trophy saga. However, the gala on April 1 served as a grand reconciliation.
With the trophy finally in the cabinet at City Hall, KCCA has not only broken the jinx but officially shifted the power balance of Ugandan netball, ending the long-standing dominance of NIC Netball Club.
Uganda Netball Super League: Roll of Honour
– National Insurance Corporation (NIC)
– Titles: 21
– Years Won: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023
– Uganda Prisons Netball Club
– Titles: 4
– Years Won: 2009, 2017, 2018, 2022
– KCCA Netball Club
– Titles: 2
– Years Won: 1983, 2025
– Uganda Police Netball Club
– Titles: 1
– Year Won: 2004
Key Observations
– The NIC Era: Their run from 1995 to 2003 is one of the most dominant dynasties in African sports history. Only administrative restructuring and the rise of institutional clubs (Prisons and Police) briefly interrupted their hegemony.
– The Lost Years: Gaps in 2014, 2016, and 2020 were marked by organizational instability, funding shortages, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which prevented the UNSL from reaching a sporting conclusion.
– The KCCA Miracle: Seeing 1983 and 2025 side by side in the record books is a powerful testament to the club’s resilience. Remaining competitive for over four decades without a trophy, only to reclaim it under Fred Mugerwa, is monumental.
– The 2024 Hiatus: The 2024 season was lost due to the trophy impasse and the revocation of the Uganda Netball Federation’s license by the National Council for Sports in 2023, making KCCA’s 2025 win the first official title under the Netball Uganda era.
