By 
Cricket
The Victoria Pearls women’s team has demonstrated their exceptional skill and determination throughout the year.
Victoria Pearls after winning the Capricorn series in Namibia.
Notably, they clinched victories in both the Victoria Series and the Capricorn Series, asserting their dominance.
Although they secured the runners-up position at the Kwibuka Memorial Tournament, their stellar performance also ensured their qualification for the ICC Women’s Global Qualifiers in Dubai, following a commendable second-place finish in the Africa Qualifiers.
For the men, Cricket Cranes embarked on a memorable journey, marking significant milestones.
Their triumph at the Continental Cup T20 in Nairobi was just the beginning. Creating history, they secured their inaugural qualification for the ICC T20 World Cup, an incredible feat achieved by defeating the formidable test-playing nation Zimbabwe.
Cricket Cranes after qualifying for the T20 World Cup.
Furthermore, they defended their title in the ACA T20 Africa Cup held in South Africa, showcasing their unwavering consistency and prowess in the game.
Cricket Cranes after winning the ACA T20 Cup in South Africa.
Other Noteworthy Achievements, the Soroti City Cricket ladies team made headlines by breaking the dominant streak of Damini and securing victory in the fiercely contested National Women’s T20 Cup 2023.
Soroti City Ladies team players.
Moreover, the Aziz Damani Development Cricket Club scripted their own story of success by clinching their maiden league title, an impressive achievement for a team competing for the first time in the UCA Men’s 50-over league.
Netball
Uganda’s She Cranes scripted history by achieving their best-ever finish at the Netball World Cup.
Their tenacity and exceptional performances led them to clinch the 5th position after avenging a preliminary defeat to South Africa, securing a memorable victory of 49-47.
She Cranes in the placement game against South Africa.
Their journey in Cape Town was marked by standout victories, notably a remarkable 74-34 win against Trinidad and Tobago, propelling them into the second preliminary round.
Margaret Baagala, emerged as a pivotal figure, playing the most minutes for the She Cranes throughout the tournament. Her absence in one game due to Malaria did little to deter her influence on the team’s success, especially during the critical win over South Africa.
Commencing their campaign with an impressive 79-37 triumph against Singapore, the team faced formidable opponents like Jamaica, experiencing a challenging 61-49 defeat in the fourth match. Additionally, their 54-44 loss against New Zealand posed another significant challenge during the World Cup.
Despite these setbacks, the She Cranes’ journey stands as a testament to their resilience and determination, showcasing remarkable skill and spirit on the global stage of netball.
Rugby
In a thrilling showdown at Kings Park Arena, the Uganda Rugby Cranes claimed victory against Kenya with a stunning 21-20 win in the 2023 Victoria Cup.
Liam Walker’s precision in the dying minutes restored hope for the fans, sealing the triumph in late October. The halftime score of 13-12 favored Kenya, intensifying the Cranes’ second-half resurgence.
Adding to their victories, the Rugby Cranes secured wins in both their test matches in Tunisia, marking historical achievements with a scoreline of 20-14 and 28-13.
These triumphs coincided with the Uganda Rugby Union’s impactful partnership with Tunisia, fostering a strategic alliance aimed at enhancing rugby development in both nations.
However, the focus on segregating talent between the 7s and 15s formats resulted in the Rugby Cranes facing some talent depletion. Emphasizing a larger talent pool selection became the new priority for the team.
Shifting to the sevens circuit, Uganda’s national sevens team demonstrated their prowess at the Africa Men’s Seven Olympic Qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Securing a commendable third-place finish by defeating the hosts 24-12, they are now eyeing qualification in the subsequent challenger series despite falling short against South Africa in the semifinals.
Uganda Rugby 7s after winning Bronze in Zimbabwe.
Uganda’s Sevens team further clinched bronze at the Safari 7s in Nairobi, triumphing over Germany with a resounding 31-7 win late in November.
In women’s rugby, the Lady Cranes celebrated victory after finishing third at the Rugby Afrique Women’s 7s in Tunisia, overcoming Zambia 29-10 despite a setback against Kenya in the semi-finals.
Lady Cranes 7s at the Safari 7s in Nairobi.
Their qualification for the 2024 Olympic Repechage and Challengers series next year highlights their exceptional journey.
Moreover, the Uganda Lady Cranes clinched victory at the 2023 Safari 7s by defeating the Kenya Lionesses with a narrow yet decisive 15-12 win in the women’s final at the RFUEA ground in Kenya.
The Bweyogerere-based Pirates Rugby Club emerged triumphant as the Nile Special Rugby Premiership League 2023 champions.
Stanbic Black Pirates after winning the League.
The aftermath of Kobs’ 07-23 loss to Black Pirates in the league title decider at Legends left rugby enthusiasts contemplating the game’s turning points, with the Blue Army conceding penalties before Timothy Odong and Desire Ayera rallied in the second half, securing victory for the visitors on 14th May.
Basketball
Amidst spirited efforts, the Uganda Women’s National Basketball team, the Gazelles, claimed a respectable seventh position at the 2023 FIBA Afrobasket games in Kigali, experiencing a blend of victories and setbacks.
Their journey was marked by a valiant comeback led by star player Jane Asinde, who returned from an ankle injury sustained earlier, boosting the team’s morale in the face of adversity.
Uganda female Basketball team, Gazelles in Kigali.
Although challenged by losses against hosts Rwanda (61-66) and Mozambique (62-88) during classification games, they concluded triumphantly, securing a resounding 85-44 victory against Guinea, a significant leap from their previous 10th-place finish in 2015.
Celebrating individual achievements, Silverbacks guard Adam Seiko penned a contract with NBA giants Golden State Warriors in June. His inclusion in the Summer League holds promise for potential NBA action in the forthcoming season, inspired by the success of teammate Ishmael Wainwright, already making waves with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA.
In local basketball scenes, the Oilers clinched their ninth National Basketball League (NBL) title, overcoming the resilient KIU Titans.
City Oilers Basketball Club players celebrating their 9th trophy in 9 consecutive seasons.
Their journey didn’t stop there, as they progressed to the east division finals in Cape Town, narrowly losing a fiercely contested match against Cape Town Tigers (68-70).
Nevertheless, securing qualification for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) marked a significant milestone.
Not to be outdone, the JKL Lady Dolphins emerged victorious as the 2023 FUBA Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) champions, showcasing their prowess.
Their exceptional performance culminated in a commendable fourth-place finish in the Africa Women’s Basketball League 2023 qualifiers held in Kigali, Rwanda, signifying a consistent commitment to excellence in basketball on both local and continental fronts.
Football
In a historic collaboration, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania joined forces in a collective bid, ‘EAC Pamoja’, securing the hosting rights for the prestigious 2027 AFCON tournament.
This joint effort showcased the unity and shared commitment of these East African nations towards fostering football excellence on the continent, while Botswana, though commendable in its attempt, now faces financial challenges post their unsuccessful bid.
Back at home, the domestic football scene witnessed remarkable transformations. Kitara Football Club emerged triumphant in the big league, marking a return to the top flight alongside Mbarara City and NEC Football Club, the latter enjoying their maiden promotion.
Vipers Football Club etched their name in history, claiming their inaugural domestic double by securing victories in both the Star Times Uganda Premier League and the Uganda Cup.
Vipers players celebrating the Uganda Cup.
Vipers players celebrating the UPL trophy.
Their exceptional performance was further highlighted by their debut appearance in the CAF Champions League group stage, marking a significant milestone in their journey.
Meanwhile, Mbale Heroes, Young Elephants, Kigezi Home Boyz, and Kiyinda Boys Mityana made impressive strides, earning well-deserved promotions to the big league.
These achievements underscore the promising talent and evolving landscape of football across various regions in Uganda, promising an exciting and competitive future for the sport in the country.
