Netball Super League: KCCA Silence Prisons to Win Maiden League Title Amid No Trophy
By Kayiira Jackson
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Netball Club emerged as the inaugural champions of the National Netball Super League under Netball Uganda’s new executive, sealing top spot with a hard-fought 44–41 victory over rivals Prisons Netball Club on Monday at Nakivubo Stadium.
In a tense finale that rekindled memories of past heartbreak, KCCA finally exorcised the Prisons jinx that had denied them glory in 2023. This time, the Kasasiro Girls held their nerve, delivering when it mattered most to finish as table leaders and clinch their maiden league title.
Under veteran coach Fred Mugerwa, KCCA took early control of the contest, edging the first quarter 12–11 before stretching their advantage to a 24–20 halftime lead. Prisons mounted a fierce comeback in the third quarter, briefly cutting the deficit to a single goal, but KCCA regrouped to close the period ahead 34–31.
The final quarter was a test of composure rather than flair. KCCA slowed the tempo, guarded their slim lead with disciplined play, and saw out the game to secure a memorable 44–41 win as the final whistle sounded.
Yet, despite the triumph, celebrations were muted. Unlike previous seasons where champions lifted the trophy immediately, there was no silverware at Nakivubo. Federation officials on site indicated that the trophy would be awarded on a later date to be communicated by Netball Uganda — an anti-climax to what should have been a crowning moment.
“We thank God for this win. This is our first time to win the league after finishing second or third in past seasons,” said KCCA assistant captain Norah Lunkuse. “We are grateful that our hard work has finally paid off.”
Head coach Fred Mugerwa, who guided the team through years of near misses, also savoured his long-awaited breakthrough.
“We have won the league but not yet seen the trophy,” Mugerwa remarked. “The secret was teamwork. We were only 13 players throughout the season, but unity carried us through.”
Reflecting on the journey, Mugerwa added: “This should not be my first league title, but there has been a lot of politics in past seasons. We kept pushing, and finally KCCA has its first trophy.”
Ironically, it was again Prisons Netball Club — the same side that denied KCCA the title in 2023 with a 46–41 win on the final day — that stood in their way. This time, KCCA turned pain into purpose, beating their longtime rivals to seal the crown.
However, the league itself closed under a cloud. The season was marred by an unusually high number of walkovers across all three divisions. Statistics from the final weekend alone recorded five walkovers, while Life Sport conceded 12 matches over the course of the season. Teams such as Posta and UCU also failed to honour fixtures, contributing to more than 32 walkovers across the men’s and women’s leagues.
However, KCCA topped the final table with 45 points, former champions NIC finished second with 44 points, Prisons 38 and UCU came fourth with 37 points. UGx-Luweero and Posta finished at the bottom with 5 and 2 points respectively.
As KCCA celebrate a historic triumph, questions remain about the organisation and competitiveness of the league — issues Netball Uganda’s new leadership will need to address as they build toward future editions.