Uganda’s national netball teams, the She Cranes and The Rock, are set to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, for the 2026 Africa Netball Championship, carrying the country’s hopes of securing continental honours.

The championship is scheduled to run from September 19 to 26, with Uganda fielding teams in both the women’s and men’s competitions.

The She Cranes will compete in the women’s tournament and have been drawn in Pool Two alongside Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania. The group will be played on a round-robin basis before the teams progress to the crossover stages.

Uganda heads into the championship with considerable experience on the continental scene.

The She Cranes have already booked their place at the 2027 Netball World Cup together with South Africa, while the remaining African qualification slots will be determined during the Nairobi tournament.

For The Rock, the championship provides another opportunity to establish itself among Africa’s leading men’s netball teams.

Uganda has been grouped with hosts Kenya, South Africa, Malawi and Eswatini in a five-team round-robin competition. Each side will meet the others as they compete for the continental title.

Uganda last won the tournament back in 2018, and were beaten finalists against South Africa in 2025.

The Rock made its continental debut in 2025, finishing fifth. The team will now be looking to improve on that result when competition gets underway in Nairobi.

Both Ugandan teams are scheduled to travel by road on Tuesday, beginning the final stage of their preparations ahead of the championship.

She Cranes — Pool Two

• Uganda
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia
• Botswana
• Tanzania

The Rock — Men’s Championship

• Uganda
• Kenya
• South Africa
• Malawi
• Eswatini

Uganda’s The Rock Squad

Defenders

• George Waiswa — Kampala University
• Kigozi Gonzaga — WOB Netball Club
• Caleb Manirakiza — WOB Netball Club
• Elvis Wejuli — WOB Netball Club
• Richard Eppa — Kampala University
• Denis Mayanja — WOB Netball Club

Mid-Court

• Dissan Wasswa — WOB Netball Club
• Wycliffe Kisakye — Kampala University
• John Kizito — Kampala University

Shooters

• Joseph Kasule — WOB Netball Club
• Bosco Yiga — Kampala University
• Pius Ssekandi — WOB Netball Club
• Hilbert Oywak — Legacy
• Junior Egide — Kampala University

The Rock Technical Team

• Head Coach: Jesse Asiimwe
• Assistant Coach: Florence Abalo
• Statistician: Imelda Nyongesa
• Team Manager: Dr Sarah Nkonge

She Cranes Squad

Defenders

• Eve Aitesi — Prisons
• Gloria Aya — NIC
• Nsiimu Mutesi — NIC
• Sheilah — Weyonje
• Shaffie Nalwanja — KCCA
• Wesonga — UCU

Mid-Court

• Margret Baagala — KCCA
• Nashim Khadaala — Prisons
• Annet Namuddu — Victoria University

Shooters

• Joan Nantumbwe — Police
• Racheal Nanyonga — NIC
• Shadia Nassanga Ssegujja — KCCA
• Christine Kango Namulumba — Prisons
• Alice Winnie Isoto — NIC