Uganda national netball team

National netball team

Uganda

Nickname(s)| The She-Cranes
Association| Uganda Netball Federation
Confederation| Africa Netball
Head coach| Fred Mugerwa
Asst coach| Peace Proscovia
Captain| Irene Eyaru
World ranking| 6

Team colours

Netball World Cup
Appearances| 4 (Debuted in 1979)
2023 placing| 5th
Best result| 5th (2023)
Commonwealth Games
Appearances| 2 (Debuted in 2018)
2022 placing| 5th
Best result| 5th (2022)

The Uganda national netball team, also known as the She-Cranes, represent the Uganda Netball Federation in international netball tournaments, such as the Netball World Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the Fast5 Netball World Series and the Netball Nations Cup. Uganda have won Africa Netball Cup, All-Africa Games and Netball Singapore Nations Cup tournaments. Their best results in major tournaments are fifth place finishes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Netball World Cup. As of 25 July 2024, Uganda are sixth in the World Netball Rankings.

## Tournament history

[edit]

### Major tournaments

[edit]

#### Netball World Cup

[edit]

Uganda made their Netball World Cup debut in 1979. With a team coached by Ben Mary Muwanga and captained by Suzan Ddumba Namatovu, they finished 13th.[1][2][3]

Uganda qualified for 2015 Netball World Cup after winning the 2014 African Netball Championships.[4][5][6] In their opening game of the tournament they defeated Zambia 74–38 with Peace Proscovia scoring 56 goal.[7] Uganda would eventually finish in eighth place after losing a play off to Wales.[8][9]

Uganda qualified for the 2019 Netball World Cup after winning the 2018 African Netball Championships.[10][11] Uganda would finish in seventh place after defeating Zimbabwe 58–47 in a play off.[12][13]

At the 2023 Netball World Cup, with a team featuring Mary Cholhok Nuba and captained by Irene Eyaru, Uganda finished the tournament in 5th place after they defeated the hosts South Africa 49–47 in a play off.[14][15][16]

Tournaments  | Place

|

1979 World Netball Championships[1][2] | 13th
2015 Netball World Cup[7][8][9] | 8th
2019 Netball World Cup[12][13] | 7th
2023 Netball World Cup[14][15][16] | 5th

#### Commonwealth Games

[edit]

Uganda made their Commonwealth Games debut in 2018. They finished the tournament in sixth place, after losing a play off to South Africa 53–42.[17][18][19][20] At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Uganda finished fifth after defeating South Africa 54–48 in a play off.[21]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2018 Commonwealth Games[17][18][19][20] | 6th
2022 Commonwealth Games[21] | 5th

#### Netball Nations Cup

[edit]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2024 Netball Nations Cup[22][23][24][25] | 4th
2025 Netball Nations Cup[26][27][28] | 3rd

#### Fast5 Netball World Series

[edit]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2022 Fast5 Netball World Series[29][30] | 5th
2024 Fast5 Netball World Series[31] | 3rd

### African tournaments

[edit]

Uganda also competes in competitions against other African national teams. These include the Africa Netball Cup, the Diamond Challenge, tournaments at the All-Africa Games and Netball World Cup qualifiers.[32][33]

#### All-Africa Games

[edit]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2011 All-Africa Games[34] | 1st

#### Africa Netball Cup

[edit]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2013 African Netball Championship[35][36] | 3rd
2014 African Netball Championships[4][5][6] | 1st
2017 African Netball Championships[37][38] | 1st
2018 African Netball Championships[10][11] | 1st
2019 Africa Netball Cup | 3rd

#### Diamond Challenge

[edit]

Since 2012, Netball South Africa has hosted the Diamond Challenge. The trophy is contested with mainly visiting African national teams, including Uganda.

Tournaments  | Place

|

2015 Diamond Challenge[39] | 3rd
2016 Diamond Challenge[40][41] | 3rd
2021 SPAR Challenge Series[42][43][44] | 2nd

#### Netball World Cup qualifiers

[edit]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2011 World Netball Championships Qualifier[45] | n/a

### Invitational tournaments and series

[edit]

Uganda have competed in several invitational tournaments, including when, with a team captained by Peace Proscovia and coached by Fred Mugerwa, they won the 2013 Netball Singapore Nations Cup. Before this tournament, they had not played outside of Africa since 1979. They were unranked and only secured government funding at the last minute after making a plea for public help via the New Vision newspaper. The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, also donated to the Uganda Netball Federation to help with the cost. Uganda missed their flights and missed their opening match against the United States. They arrived on day two of the competition, after a ten hour flight, just six hours before their first match. Despite everything, they beat the Republic of Ireland 54–41. They then drew with Papua New Guinea 52–52 to stay in contention. They subsequently defeated Singapore and Sri Lanka to qualify for the final. In the final they defeated Singapore 52–29, with Peace Proscovia scoring 30 goals.[46][47][48][49]

Tournaments  | Place

|

2013 Netball Singapore Nations Cup[46][47][48][49] | 1st
2022 England Uganda netball series[50][51] | 2nd

## Notable players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

The current squad was selected for the 2024 Netball Nations Cup.[16][22][23][52]

Uganda roster

Players | Coaches
| Name | Pos | DOB | Height | Club | Nat | Caps

|
|
|
|
|
|

Lillian Achola  | C, WA  |  (1999-07-15)15 July 1999 (aged 24)  | –  |  |  |
Florence Adunia  | WD, GD  |  | –  |  |  |
Margret Baagala  | C, WA  |  (2002-05-09)9 May 2002 (aged 21)  | –  |  |  |
Mercy Batamuliza  | GS, WA  |  | –  |  |  |
Mary Cholhok Nuba | GS  |  (1997-01-03)3 January 1997 (aged 27)  | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)  | Loughborough Lightning |  |
Irene Eyaru (c) | WA, GA  |  (1996-10-23)23 October 1996 (aged 27)  | –  | KCCA |  |
Falidah Kadondi  | GD, GK  |  (1998-11-09)9 November 1998 (aged 25)  | –  |  |  |
Haniisha Muhameed  | GS, GK  |  (1999-08-08)8 August 1999 (aged 24)  | –  | Surrey Storm |  |
Christine Nakitto  | GD, WD  |  (2001-12-28)28 December 2001 (aged 22)  | –  | KCCA |  |
Sarah Nakiyunga  | WA, C  |  (2000-10-12)12 October 2000 (aged 23)  | –  | NIC |  |
Sandra Nambirige  | GD, WD  |  | –  |  |  |
Christine Namulumba Kango  | GS  |  (1999-04-03)3 April 1999 (aged 24)  | –  | Prisons |  |
Shadiah Nassanga  | GA, GS  |  | –  |  |  |

Head coach

* Fred Mugerwa

Assistant coach

* Peace Proscovia

* * *

Notes

* (c) – Captain
* (cc) – Co-captain
* (vc) – Vice-captain
* – Injury / maternity leave
* (TRP) – Temporary Replacement Player

Player profiles: Team website | Last updated:
7 October 2024

### Captains

[edit]

Years  | Captains

|

1979 | Suzan Ddumba Namatovu[2]
2011 | Amono Florence[34]
2013–2023 | Peace Proscovia[53][54]
2016 | Irene Eyaru[55]
2021 | Stella Oyella[42]
2022 | Joan Nampungu[29][30]
2023– | Irene Eyaru[16][23][53]

## Coaches

[edit]

### Head coaches

[edit]

Coach  | Years

|

Ben Mary Muwanga[2][3] | 1975–1985
Fred Mugerwa[34][46][56] | 2011–2015
Rashid Mubiru[57][58] | 2015–2017
Vincent Kiwanuka[37][58] | 2017–2019
Rashid Mubiru[42][58] | 2019–2021
Imelda Nyongesa[18] | 2018
Fred Mugerwa[56][59] | 2021–

### Assistant coaches

[edit]

Coach  | Years

|

Peace Proscovia[23][52] | 2024

## Honours

[edit]

* Africa Netball Cup
* Winners: 2014, 2017, 2018
* Runners Up: 2021
* All-Africa Games
* Winners: 2011
* Netball Singapore Nations Cup
* Winners: 2013

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Women Netball V World Championship 1979". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
2. ^ a b c d "When Uganda played at the World Cup". www.observer.ug. 20 April 2009. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
3. ^ a b "Meet Muwanga: the She Cranes greatest coach". www.observer.ug. 11 August 2013. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
4. ^ a b "Uganda qualifies for Netball World Cup after beating Swaziland". www.kawowo.com. 18 September 2014. Archived from the original on 21 September 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
5. ^ a b "Uganda qualifies for Netball World Cup". www.newvision.co.ug. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
6. ^ a b "Women Netball III Africa Championship 2014 Gaborone (Botswana)". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
7. ^ a b "Uganda's Proscovia stars in historic win". nwc2015.com.au. 7 August 2015. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
8. ^ a b "Wales claim 7th spot with win over She Cranes". nwc2015.com.au. 16 August 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
9. ^ a b "Women Netball XIV World Championship 2015 Sydney". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
10. ^ a b "Uganda and Zimbabwe qualify for Liverpool". www.nwc2019.co.uk. 17 August 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
11. ^ a b "Women Netball Africa Championship 2018 Lusaka, Zambia - Winner Uganda". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
12. ^ a b "Uganda win all-African battle for seventh". www.nwc2019.co.uk. 21 July 2019. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
13. ^ a b "Women Netball XV World Championship 2019". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
14. ^ a b "Uganda stun South Africa to secure fifth". www.teamsa.co.za. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
15. ^ a b "Uganda puts one over SPAR Proteas for African supremacy". netball-sa.co.za. 6 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
16. ^ a b c d "Who are the She Cranes that ensured Uganda's highest finish ever at Netball World Cup?". www.observer.ug. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
17. ^ a b "She Cranes finish sixth at 2018 Commonwealth Games". New Vision. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
18. ^ a b c "She Cranes settle for 6th place at Commonwealth Games". kawowo.com. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
19. ^ a b "Uganda (at the 2018 Commonwealth Games)". World Netball. April 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
20. ^ a b "Women Netball Commonwealth Games Golden Goast, Australia 2018". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
21. ^ a b "Uganda Upsets South Africa And Claims 5th Position At Commonwealth Games". netball-sa.co.za. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
22. ^ a b "Ugandan She Cranes announce squad ahead of double series". www.netballsl.com. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
23. ^ a b c d "Uganda reveals Nations Cup squad". central.rookieme.com. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
24. ^ "Silver Ferns defeat Uganda to finish third at Nations Cup". www.silverferns.co.nz. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
25. ^ "New Zealand 62–57 Uganda". mc.championdata.com. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
26. ^ "Ryekoboth, Amiya make Uganda She Cranes team for 2025 Netball Nations Cup". kawowo.com. 26 January 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
27. ^ "Uganda She Cranes fall to South Africa, Malawi in 2025 Vitality Netball Nations Cup". kawowo.com. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
28. ^ "Uganda She Cranes outsmarts Malawi to settle with bronze at 2025 Vitality Netball Series". kawowo.com. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
29. ^ a b "Uganda winning hearts and matches at FAST5". fast5netball.com. 5 November 2022. Archived from the original on 5 December 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
30. ^ a b "She Cranes finish 5th at Fast Five World Series in New Zealand". New Vision. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
31. ^ "She Cranes secure third place at 2024 Fast Five Netball World Series". www.newvision.co.ug. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
32. ^ "Women Netball Africa National Teams Tournamemts Archive". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
33. ^ "Diamond Challenge Archive". netball-sa.co.za. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
34. ^ a b c "Women Netball Africa Games Maputo (MOZ) 2011". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
35. ^ "Malawi Queens date South Africa in finals of African Netball Championship". www.nyasatimes.com. 28 June 2013. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
36. ^ "Women Netball II Africa Championship 2013 Blantyre (Malawi)". www.todor66.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
37. ^ a b "She Cranes are new African netball champions". New Vision. 29 June 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
38. ^ "Women Netball Africa Championship 2017 - Winner Uganda". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
39. ^ "Uganda She Cranes Finish Third At 2015 Diamond Netball Challenge". kawowo.com. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
40. ^ "Proteas thump Uganda 50-40 at Diamond Challenge". netball-sa.co.za. 4 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
41. ^ "South Africa win Netball Diamond Challenge". netball-sa.co.za. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
42. ^ a b c "Rashid Mubiru: She Cranes coach eager to earn ranking points". kawowo.com. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
43. ^ "Uganda take the sparkle off the Namibian Debmarine Desert Jewels at SPAR Challenge". netball-sa.co.za. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
44. ^ "She Cranes: Nampungu flies highest at Spar Challenge". kawowo.com. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
45. ^ "Women Netball World Championship 2011 African Qualification played 2010 Pretoria (RSA)". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
46. ^ a b c "Netball: She Cranes win Six Nations Cup final". New Vision. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
47. ^ a b "Uganda's inspirational, remarkable Netball Nations Cup win". www.theguardian.com. 10 December 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
48. ^ a b "Nations Cup 2013". www.netball.org.sg. 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
49. ^ a b "Women Netball 8th Nations Cup 2013 Singapore". www.todor66.com. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
50. ^ "England win third Test against Uganda to secure clean sweep in series at Copper Box Aren". www.skysports.com. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
51. ^ "England 64-51 Uganda: Roses complete perfect series". www.bbc.com. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
52. ^ a b "Official: Legend Peace Proscovia named She Cranes assistant coach for the UK Vitality Netball Nations Cup". www.pulsesports.ug. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
53. ^ a b "Irene Eyaru replaces Peace Proscovia as the She Cranes Captain". New Vision. 5 June 2023. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
54. ^ "Storm are thrilled to announce the signing of Ugandan Captain Peace Proscovia for the 2022 Superleague season!". www.surreystormnetball.co.uk. 1 October 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
55. ^ "Netball: She Crane takes on South Africa in Diamond Challenge". New Vision. 3 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
56. ^ a b "Mugerwa returns as She Cranes head coach". kawowo.com. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
57. ^ "Rashid Mubiru appointed new She Cranes coach". kawowo.com. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
58. ^ a b c "Uganda Netball Federation sack Kiwanuka and reappoint Mubiru". kawowo.com. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
59. ^ "Fred Mugerwa: Uganda Netball Federation extends She Cranes head coach's employment contract". kawowo.com. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* She Cranes on Facebook

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* Africa Netball

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