Scotland, November/December 2025 — Uganda’s She Cranes were crowned Celtic Cup champions after completing an unbeaten campaign, sealing their maiden title with a dominant 70–48 victory over Wales in the final played in Scotland.
The triumph marked a historic milestone for Ugandan netball, with the She Cranes winning all their matches to finish the tournament with a perfect record and underline their growing stature on the international stage.
Uganda controlled the final from the opening whistle, imposing their pace and structure to pull away from Wales early. Superior shooting accuracy, disciplined midcourt play and relentless defensive pressure saw the She Cranes open up a commanding lead that they maintained until the final whistle.
Mary Nuba was among Uganda’s standout performers throughout the tournament, delivering consistent displays in attack. Her composure under pressure and accuracy in the shooting circle played a key role in the team’s success.
Individual honours went to Nasanga Shadiah, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Shadiah’s all-round performances, work rate and influence at both ends of the court earned her the accolade after a series of impressive outings.
“This award means a lot, but the success belongs to the entire team,” Shadiah said. “We came here with a clear mission, and everyone played their part.”
The She Cranes finished the tournament with five wins from five matches, maintaining high standards throughout and defeating all their opponents convincingly.
The technical team’s tactical planning and effective squad rotation were also instrumental, allowing Uganda to sustain intensity across the competition. The defensive unit stood out, regularly forcing turnovers, while the midcourt dictated tempo and provided quality supply to the shooters.
The Celtic Cup victory represents the first major tournament title for the current generation of She Cranes and is seen as a major boost ahead of future continental and international engagements.
Back home, the achievement has been hailed as a landmark moment for Ugandan netball, reflecting the progress made through structured development and renewed domestic competition under Netball Uganda.
