Spreading the Shuttle Time Gospel: Badminton Uganda Engages Iganga Schools
By Kayiira Jackson
Badminton Uganda is continuing its nationwide mission to promote the sport, with its latest stop in Iganga district. A two-day “Shuttle Time” workshop, held at Musana Vocational High School from November 22nd to 23rd, attracted 23 sports teachers from schools across Iganga.
Kisambira Umar, the badminton coordinator for the Iganga region, highlighted that despite over 40 schools in the district, badminton has traditionally been absent from their sports programs. However, after attending the workshop, Umar is optimistic that these schools will now introduce the sport and offer it as an option to students.
Among the participants, one of the standout voices was Nyachwo Sylvia Ranga, a teacher from St. Francis Kigulu Girls Secondary School. As one of the few women present, she is eager to take the skills she learned back to her school and ensure that by next year, her students will be ready to participate in badminton competitions.
However, despite the positive energy at the workshop, Nyachwo noted a key challenge: the underrepresentation of women in sports. In the five districts Badminton Uganda has visited so far, women’s participation in sports—especially badminton—has been limited. Nyachwo attributed this to societal barriers and a lack of trust in women’s roles within the sporting world, which she believes has hindered many women from engaging actively in sports.
Badminton Uganda’s tour is part of an initiative to introduce badminton to more regions across the country. By training sports teachers and distributing equipment, the federation is laying the foundation for the growth of the sport at the grassroots level. Iganga is the fifth district to host the shuttle time workshop, following previous stops in Rwampala, Nakaseke, Pader, and Kayunga. The final district in Phase 1 of the tour will be Rukiga, with the workshop closing on December 4th-5th, 2025.
With continued efforts to engage more schools and communities, Badminton Uganda is on a path to expand the reach and visibility of badminton across the country.