Uganda’s national men’s volleyball team, the Volleyball Cranes, have qualified for the 2026 Men’s African Senior Nations Volleyball Championship after a decisive 3-0 victory over Tanzania in the zonal qualifiers.
The Cranes dominated the match, winning in straight sets of 25-18, 25-15, and 25-19 to secure automatic qualification. The triumph capped a strong rebound after an earlier setback against Kenya, with Uganda responding by registering three wins in the round-robin format to finish among the top teams.
Kenya’s consistent dominance in the qualifiers also played a role in Uganda’s progression, ensuring the Cranes advanced as one of the zone’s representatives.
Head coach Shilla Omuriwe praised her players’ resilience and fighting spirit, noting the achievement as a key milestone in Uganda’s volleyball ambitions. Omuriwe continues to make history as the first woman to coach Uganda’s men’s national team.
Qualification marks another step in Uganda’s long-term plan to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The African Nations Championship is a crucial pathway toward Olympic qualification, offering exposure against the continent’s strongest sides.
The Volleyball Cranes will now prepare for the continental showdown in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, scheduled for September 7–21, where 27 nations will battle for supremacy and Olympic dreams.
