Uganda’s medal hopes are still alive at the 2025 Uganda Para Badminton International Tournament, thanks to five gritty athletes who’ve punched their way into the semi-finals.
Mubiru Hassan, Sarah Nazziwa, Elizabeth Mwesigwa, Julius Obura, and Sumini Mutesi are the only ones left standing from a 15-player Ugandan squad that’s been battling both tough opponents and even tougher odds.
Their performances have lit up the week-long event at Lugogo Arena, where Uganda is hosting nine other nations in a high-stakes chase for ranking points and regional pride.
While their foreign rivals arrived backed by full coaching teams and sport-specific equipment like professional-grade wheelchairs, many Ugandan players have been forced to train in less-than-ideal conditions.
Some have to pay out of pocket just to access courts for a few hours a week. Others have had to make do without proper gear or consistent coaching. The uneven playing field has been a key factor in Uganda’s early exits.
But despite the challenges, these five semi-finalists have refused to back down.
They’ve fought through adversity with determination and drive, carrying the nation’s hopes into the final stretch of the tournament.
All eyes now turn to Sunday, July 6, when the tournament wraps up with final matches and a grand awards ceremony.
