Uganda’s women’s national cricket team, the Victoria Pearls, have begun their 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament campaign with an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Cameroon at the Gahanga B Oval in Kigali.
The one-sided encounter played on Wednesday saw defending champions Uganda bundle out Cameroon for a paltry 42 runs in 19.4 overs.
The Pearls then chased down the target without losing a wicket in just 4.5 overs, a commanding statement of intent from the title holders.
Veteran spinner Stephanie Nampiina led Uganda’s charge with a devastating spell of 3 wickets for just 3 runs in 3.4 overs, including two maidens.
Her game-defining contribution earned her the Player of the Match accolade.
The 33-year-old spinner exploited the pitch conditions perfectly, capitalising on the early morning moisture that made life difficult for Cameroon’s batters.
Uganda had earlier won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that may have raised eyebrows but was ultimately a tactical masterstroke.
The bowling unit, featuring two debutants: Kevin Amuge and Sarah Tino, was relentless. Amuge opened the attack, while Tino delivered a tight four-over spell that yielded 1 wicket for just 5 runs, including a maiden.
Sarah Walaza and Patricia Akiteng each chipped in with two wickets as Cameroon’s innings collapsed with only one batter, Noan Adrienne Nogono (10), reaching double figures.
The chase was a mere formality. Uganda’s openers, Janet Mbabazi and Esther Iloku, approached the task with clinical precision.
Mbabazi top-scored with a brisk 26 not out, while Iloku added 11 not out as Uganda wrapped up the win in under five overs, well within the powerplay.
The result not only gives Uganda a significant net run rate boost but also sets the tone for what they hope will be a successful title defence.
With confidence soaring, the Victoria Pearls now turn their attention to a more formidable challenge: Zimbabwe Emerging, who they face on Thursday, June 5 at 10:45 AM at the Gahanga Main Oval.
It promises to be a crucial early test in what is shaping up to be another exciting tournament campaign for the Ugandan side.
