Naluwooza to Lead Uganda at All Africa Senior Badminton Championship

By Kayiira Jackson 

Tracy Naluwooza will lead Uganda’s charge at the 2026 All Africa Senior Badminton Championship after being named captain of the national team heading to Gaborone, Botswana February 9–15.

The experienced shuttler headlines a 12-member Ugandan delegation, flagged off by the Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) in conjunction with the National Council of Sports (NCS). Uganda will be represented by 10 players — five men and five women — competing in both singles and doubles events.

Speaking after the flag-off ceremony, Naluwooza described the captaincy as a proud milestone in her career.

“It’s an honour to lead this team. This is my first time captaining a national team, and I’m taking it with open arms and a warm heart. We are going out to compete, and everyone is ready to represent Uganda with a long-lasting smile in the national colours,” she said.

The ceremony was officiated by NCS Assistant General Secretary Milton Chebet, alongside Senior Sports Officer Sarah Nankya and James Kasumba, the NCS liaison officer for badminton. Chebet urged the players to uphold discipline, hard work, and patriotism.

“Sports requires discipline and hard work. As athletes, always be focused to achieve the best whenever you have a chance. Patriotism should be key — love your country and always be proud to represent Uganda,” he noted.

Uganda travels with a blended squad of experience and youth following changes from last year’s team that competed in Douala, Cameroon. Former captain Amos Muyanja and Augustus Owiny have retired, while Kenneth Comfort Mwambu did not qualify. On the women’s side, star player Husinah Kobugabe misses out due to injury.

In her place, Kuruthum Nalumansi earns a debut call-up and will partner Shamika Fadilah Mohammad Rafi in the women’s doubles. Nalumansi is joined by fellow debutant Nakajja Olivia, sister to former Uganda seed one Brian Kasirye.

There is strong optimism around the men’s team, particularly rising talents Arafat Kibirige Tendo, Akbar Oduka, and Denis Mukasa, all of whom previously featured at the World Junior Championships in China and India.

Uganda carries encouraging memories from the previous edition, where Naluwooza and Shamika Fadilah won bronze in women’s doubles, while Fadilah added another bronze in women’s singles.

A total of 17 countries — including Nigeria, Botswana, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Mauritius, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, and Zimbabwe — will contest the championship. Beyond medals, the stakes are high: the best men’s and women’s teams will qualify to represent Africa at the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals, slated for April 26 – May 3, 2026, in Horsens, Denmark.

The contingent is traveling on Sunday boarding Ethiopian Airlines.

Uganda Squad

Men: Arafat Kibirige Tendo, Akbar Oduka, Lubega Muzafaru, Denis Mukasa, Reagan Michael Nsubuga

Women: Gladys Mbabazi, Tracy Naluwooza (Captain), Shamika Fadilah Mohammad Rafi, Kuruthum Nalumansi, Nakajja Olivia

Coach: Frank Muwuluzi

Media Officer: Gonzaga Kakeeto

With Naluwooza at the helm, Uganda heads to Gaborone aiming to turn promise into podium finishes. 🏸🇺🇬