By 
The UCA Women’s National League 2024 is set to commence on June 29, 2024, with all teams eagerly preparing for this year’s thrilling season.
The 2023 season saw Soroti Cricket Academy’s teams dominate, with Soroti City Cricket Club emerging as champions and Olila High School securing the runner-up position.
Last year, seven women’s teams participated in the league, including Aziz Damani, who will not be competing this year.
Despite Damani’s absence, the league has expanded from seven to nine teams. The new entrants are Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC), Africa Cricket Club (ACC), and Tornado Cricket Club, adding fresh excitement to the competition.
ACC will field a development side, with over 99% of its players drawn from schools under the Mukono Cricket Community.
The remaining 1% will include senior players from the national team, providing valuable experience and guidance to the young squad.
In contrast to last year’s single round-robin format with all teams in one group, this year’s league will see the nine teams divided into two groups, A and B.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, culminating in the final on August 10, where the champion will be determined.
Group A features Soroti City CC, Jinja SS, JACC, ACC, and Tornado Bee.
Group B includes Olila CC, Wanderers CC, Pioneer CC, and Tornado CC.
A significant change this year is the restriction on the number of national team players per club.
The games committee has decreed that no team may include more than three of the 14 contracted national team players.
These players include Anyipo Evelyn, Awino Kevin, Nakisuuyi Immaculate, Napiina Stephanie, Musamali Ritah, Consylate Aweko Nimugu, Janet Mbabazi, Obukor Gloria, Patricia Malemika, Kulume Phiona, Akiteng Sarah, Esther Iloku, Proscovia Alako, and Sarah Walaza.
This decision has sparked discontent among club owners, particularly concerning the financial implications for players previously supported by their clubs but now unable to be accommodated.
The league’s opening day on June 29 promises an exciting start with three key matches: Wanderers CC will face Pioneer CC at Entebbe Cricket Oval, Soroti City Cricket Club will take on Jinja SS Cricket Club at Jinja SS Cricket Oval, and ACC’s new team will compete against Tornado Bee at Buddo Oval.
The 2024 season is poised to be a captivating chapter in Ugandan women’s cricket, showcasing both emerging talent and seasoned players.
