East Africa Badminton Challenge Records Surge in Participation

By Kayiira Jackson 

The 9th edition of the East Africa Badminton Challenge served off on Wednesday, October 14, at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, attracting close to 1,500 participants from across East Africa and beyond.

The five-day championship, which runs until Sunday, October 18, has brought together players from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Pakistan, China and India to compete in various age groups and team categories.

According to Badminton Uganda Chief Executive Officer Simon Mugabi, this year’s edition has registered an increase in participation compared to last year’s championship, which attracted 1,118 players.

The growth highlights the tournament’s expanding appeal and its position as one of the prominent badminton competitions on the regional sporting calendar.

The competition features junior categories for players under the ages of nine, 10, 15 and 19, alongside team events involving universities, corporate organisations and professionals.

In the professional category, the men’s and women’s singles champions will each receive Shs1 million, while winners in the respective doubles categories will take home Shs900,000. Runners-up will earn Shs700,000, alongside medals and trophies for the respective winners.

Organisers have also prepared 130 trophies to be awarded across the tournament’s different categories, reflecting the event’s broad participation base.

The East Africa Badminton Challenge 2026 will conclude on Sunday, October 18, at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.

Selected results from the opening rounds

The opening matches have already produced several notable performances in the professional and junior categories.

Professionals: Women’s Singles Round of 32

• Lgwe Janice bt Jude Chelengat 2-0 (21-9, 21-2)
• Gracious Jovia Bero bt Alisha Nakawungu 2-0 (21-7, 21-11)
• Robinah Bako bt Precious Nagawa 2-0 (21-15, 21-16)
• Ronah Bayiga bt Karim Alwani Alayna 2-0 (21-3, 21-9)

Professionals: Men’s Singles Round of 64

• Salaam Mohmin bt Elijah Elton Babumba 2-0 (21-7, 21-5)
• Tendo Mukalazi bt Mugumya Blaire 2-0 (21-10, 21-7)
• Adam Mubiru bt Isma Lubango 2-0 (21-10, 21-8)
• Denis Onyango bt Alifadhul Kasibante 2-0 (21-5, 21-3)
• Muyanja Amos bt Qi Bruce 2-0 (21-10, 21-17)

Under-10 Boys’ Singles Round of 128

• Jayden Butume bt Calvin Akampa 2-1 (12-15, 15-13, 15-10)
• Roman Walugembe bt Bilal Althaf Mohamed Muhammad 2-1 (6-15, 15-11, 15-13)
• Ely Joshua Kafeero bt Tandy Lugayizi 2-0 (15-2, 15-5)