Sixth-Ranked Uganda Targets Medal Bracket in Tough Group B Draw
Glasgow, Scotland Uganda’s She Cranes open their 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign this Saturday with a highly anticipated clash against seventh-ranked Wales at the OVO Hydro Arena, as the sixth-ranked Ugandans set their sights on surpassing their best-ever fifth-place finish from Birmingham 2022.
The opening fixture will mark only the second meeting between the two nations at the Commonwealth Games since Uganda’s tournament debut at Gold Coast 2018, where the She Cranes announced themselves on the global stage with a commanding 76-40 victory over the same Welsh side. Uganda will be looking to replicate that early dominance as they launch what promises to be a demanding group campaign in Glasgow.
The She Cranes find themselves drawn in a competitive Group B alongside Wales, Scotland, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago a lineup that presents both familiar rivalries and fresh challenges. Following the Wales opener, Uganda faces a punishing schedule with matches against Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Scotland across the following days, testing squad depth and consistency throughout the group stage.
Among the toughest tests awaiting Uganda is a third meeting with New Zealand, their most frequent Commonwealth Games opponent. The Silver Ferns have won both previous encounters between the sides prevailing 64-51 at Gold Coast 2018 and 53-40 at Birmingham 2022 leaving Uganda hungry to finally break through against the Oceania powerhouse.
The tournament also brings a first-ever Commonwealth Games meeting with Jamaica, though the Caribbean side holds the historical edge from previous Netball World Cup encounters. Uganda will look to flip that script when the two sides meet for the first time in this competition.
More encouraging matchups await elsewhere in the group. Uganda renews its rivalry with Trinidad and Tobago, whom the She Cranes defeated convincingly 62-28 at Birmingham 2022, while a second meeting with Scotland offers another opportunity to build on their 57-37 victory from the sides’ first encounter at Gold Coast 2018.
Assistant head coach Ruth Meeme, herself a Commonwealth Games veteran, believes the squad’s collective tournament experience will prove decisive in Glasgow. With the majority of the current group having featured at Birmingham 2022, Meeme expressed strong confidence that the team is capable of going further this time and securing a place in the medal bracket.
The squad travelling to Glasgow features a blend of established stars and exciting newcomers, including Mary Nuba, Shadia Nassanga, Racheal Nanyonga, Winnie Isoto, Margret Baagala, Joan Reykoboth, Lilian Achola, Mercy Batamuliza, Shaffie Nalwanja, Gloria Aya, Haniisha Muhameed, and Nassim Mutesi, under the guidance of head coach Rashid Mubiru and assistant coach Ruth Meeme.
Having already delivered their best-ever Commonwealth Games showing four years ago in Birmingham, the She Cranes arrive in Glasgow with genuine ambitions of an even stronger campaign. Saturday’s opener against Wales offers the perfect opportunity to set the tone for a tournament in which Uganda hopes to finally push into medal contention.
She Cranes Group B Fixtures:
- 25 July – vs Wales, 4:00pm
- 26 July – vs Trinidad and Tobago, 9:00pm
- 27 July – vs Jamaica, 9:00pm
- 28 July – vs New Zealand, 9:00pm
- 30 July – vs Scotland, 11:00am
