City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge Climax: Schools, Veterans and Professionals Light Up 9th Edition

By Kayiira Jackson 

Reagan Michael Nsubuga’s triumph over defending champion Muzafaru Lubeega headlined the 2026 City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge, which concluded at Lugogo Arena on Sunday after drawing approximately 1,500 participants from eight countries.

Nsubuga stole the spotlight by dethroning top seed Lubeega in the Professional Men’s Singles final, delivering one of the competition’s biggest upsets and denying the defending champion a second successive title.

Lubeega, however, made amends in the Professional Mixed Doubles, partnering Gladys Mbabazi to claim the title in a three-game thriller against Oduka Alizar and Nusifah Nakiyemba.

The pair recovered from a second-game setback to win 21-13, 9-21, 21-10, capping their campaign with a decisive performance in the final.

Their route to the title included a challenging semi-final against Chinese duo Wenle Li and Delong Liao, underlining the strength of the international field at the tournament.

Dattani Dhruvi of COM also celebrated a professional singles title after beating Reddy Surasina 21-12, 21-13, while Kruthum Nalamansi overcame Tracy Naluwooza to win the Professional Women’s Singles crown.

The professional division offered substantial financial incentives, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each earning Shs1 million. Doubles winners received Shs900,000, while runners-up took home Shs700,000, alongside medals and trophies for the respective winners.

Away from the professional events, the Indian Nationals, Chinese Nationals and Veterans categories added depth to the competition, with players battling for honours across different age groups and disciplines.

Thomas Biju and Krishnan Naveen proved particularly impressive, completing a double by winning the Indian Nationals Men’s Doubles (50+) and Veterans Unisex Doubles titles.

They first edged Sathick Jabar and Mubarak Mohamed 21-19, 21-19 before defeating William Kabindi and Godfrey Kivumbi 21-15, 21-15 to secure their second crown.

In the Chinese Nationals events, Wenle Li and Yihan Li defeated Rao Shawn and Dongmei Xia 15-8, 15-8 to win the Mixed Doubles (25+) title.

Q Bruce and Xiaoxi Lou also emerged victorious in the Chinese Nationals Men’s Doubles, beating Lifeng Jiang and Yongbin Xue 16-14, 15-7.

Ugandan players registered notable successes in the Indian Nationals categories. Mbabazi and Neble Namakoye won the Women’s Doubles title after defeating Olivia Nakalija and Tracy Nalwoso 21-14, 21-14.

Roddy Shruthi and Trinadh Vinnakota completed the winners’ list in the Indian Nationals Mixed Doubles (25+), overcoming Francis Freigo and Gudedi Raji 15-11, 15-10.

Schools competition puts young talent in the spotlight

The championships also provided a platform for budding players, with Mbogo High School, Seroma Christian High School and Kibuli Secondary School featuring among the junior singles winners.

Mbogo High School enjoyed a particularly successful outing in the girls’ singles, where Mariam Namutebi, Divine Mwesigwa, Blessing Agassi and Caroline Namwanda won their respective finals.

In the boys’ events, Alekan Nsubuga of Mbogo defeated Kori Adam, while Sofian Nsubuga overcame Mbogo Abubakari Hydairy.

Eric Okyere of Seroma Christian High School also registered a victory against Malik Juma Ahmed of Kibuli Secondary School.

The school events provided young competitors with an opportunity to test their abilities in a wider competitive environment, reinforcing the role of school badminton in nurturing the sport’s next generation.

FULL FINAL RESULTS – SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2026

1. PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY

Men’s Singles (MS) – Final

Reagan Michael Nsubuga defeated Muzafaru Lubeega.

Dattani Dhruvi (COM) defeated Reddy Surasina, 21–12, 21–13.

Women’s Singles (WS) – Final

– Kruthum Nalamansi (CFK) defeated Tracy Naluwooza.

Mixed Doubles (XD) – Final

– Muzafaru Lubeega and Gladys Mbabazi defeated Oduka Alizar and Nusifah Nakiyemba, 21–13, 9–21, 21–10.

Mixed Doubles (XD) – Semi-final

– Wenle Li and Delong Liao vs Muzafaru Lubeega and Gladys Mbabazi. Result not provided.

2. OTHER CATEGORIES

Indian Nationals

Men’s Doubles (MD) – 50+ Final

– Thomas Biju and Krishnan Naveen defeated Sathick Jabar and Mubarak Mohamed, 21–19, 21–19.

Women’s Doubles (WD) – Final

– Gladys Mbabazi and Neble Namakoye defeated Olivia Nakalija and Tracy Nalwoso, 21–14, 21–14.

Mixed Doubles (XD) – 25+ Final

– Roddy Shruthi and Trinadh Vinnakota defeated Francis Freigo and Gudedi Raji, 15–11, 15–10.

Men’s Singles (MS) – Final

Men’s Singles (MS) – Final

– Score: 21–15, 21–13. Players’ names not provided.

Chinese Nationals

Mixed Doubles (XD) – 25 Final

– Wenle Li and Yihan Li defeated Rao Shawn and Dongmei Xia, 15–8, 15–8.

Men’s Singles (MS) – Final

– Yihan Li defeated Yu Zhang. Score not provided.

Men’s Doubles (MD) – Final

– Q Bruce and Xiaoxi Lou defeated Lifeng Jiang and Yongbin Xue, 16–14, 15–7.

SCHOOL CATEGORIES

Mbogo High School – Girls’ Singles (GS) Finals

Mariam Namutebi defeated Malik Juma Zainab.

Divine Mwesigwa defeated Adah Muleme.

Blessing Agassi defeated Umainah Nabasiye.

Caroline Namwanda defeated Faisa Nabukenya.

Mbogo / Seroma – Men’s Singles (MS) Finals

Alekan Nsubuga defeated Kori Adam.

Sofian Nsubuga defeated Mbogo Abubakari Hydairy.

Eric Okyere (Seroma Christian High School) defeated Malik Juma Ahmed (Kibuli Secondary School).