Uganda International Badminton: Local Duo Shamika, Naluwooza Crush Malaysians to Book Final Slot
Uganda’s badminton sensations Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi and Tracy Naluwooza produces magic at the 2025 Uganda International Badminton Series, after pulling off a thrilling revenge victory over Malaysia’s Lim Xuan and Joanne Ng in a nail-biting women’s doubles semifinal at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, Lugogo.
The Ugandan duo, ranked Africa’s No.1, fought tooth and nail to edge out their Malaysian rivals 21-12, 17-21, 21-19—a sweet payback after the same pair knocked them out at the Kampala International Future Series quarterfinals just weeks ago.
With the home crowd go behind them, Shamika and Naluwooza now march into the Women’s Doubles Final, where they will face Switzerland’s second-seeded pair Jenjira Stadelmann and Leila Zarrouk.
Elsewhere, Uganda’s Muzafaru Lubega and Husina Kobugabe put up a spirited fight but fell to Malaysia’s Zi Xiang Chong and Joanne Ng (17-21, 21-17, 21-15) in mixed doubles. Kobugabe’s solo run in the Women’s Singles also came to an end after a straight-sets defeat to India’s Srivally Anumula (21-15, 21-17).
In the men’s doubles, Uganda’s Fred Kirabo and Ivan Mayega bowed out to the Indian duo Tanmoy Bikash and Kuldeep Kamal (21-16, 21-11), while Gladys Mbabazi also exited following a loss to Joanne Ng (21-18, 21-9). Shamika, however, couldn’t complete a double act in singles, going down to India’s Rujula Ramu (21-14, 21-9).
2025 Uganda International Badminton Series – Finals Fixtures:
Mixed Doubles Final:
Kuldeep Kamal (IND) / Aheri Paul (IND) vs Zi Xiang Chong (MAS) / Joanne Ng (MAS)
Women’s Doubles Final:
Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi (UGA) / Tracy Naluwooza (UGA) [1] vs Jenjira Stadelmann (SUI) / Leila Zarrouk (SUI) [2]
Men’s Doubles Final:
Ashraf Daniel Md Zakaria (MAS) / M Ariffin Nazri Md Zakaria (MAS) [1] vs Tanmoy Bikash Boruah (IND) / Kuldeep Kamal (IND)
Women’s Singles Final:
Rujula Ramu (IND) vs Joanne Ng (MAS)
Men’s Singles Final:
Hein Htut (MYA) [1] vs M Ariffin Nazri Md Zakaria (MAS)