By 
Uganda’s badminton team has been undergoing intensive preparation for the 2025 All-Africa Senior Championships, set to take place in Douala, Cameroon from February 10-16, 2025.
A group of eight players, comprising four women and four men, has been training at Ndejje University in Bombo for the past month.
This team is filled with both youth and experience, boasting impressive achievements in past continental and global competitions.
Among the standout players is Shamika Fadilah Mohammed Rafi, who has garnered attention for her remarkable achievements.
In 2023, she made history as the first Ugandan woman to win the All-Africa Badminton Senior Championships women’s singles title, overcoming South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz in a thrilling final.
This victory came after a series of notable performances, including a bronze medal in the 2021 Championships held in Kampala and a gold medal at the 2022 All-Africa Junior Championships in Mauritius.
Fadilah’s impressive rise continues to inspire not only Uganda but also Africa’s badminton scene.
Shamika Fadilah Mohammed.
As of February 2025, she ranks as Africa’s second seed with 16,021 points, trailing only Mauritius’s Kate Foo Kune by a slim margin.
Fadilah’s resilience is particularly noteworthy considering her recent setback—she narrowly missed qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics due to an injury in Cairo.
Despite this, she remains focused and determined to prove herself in Cameroon, with her eyes set on the 2028 Olympics.
Fadilah is part of an exceptional quartet of women’s players, including Husina Kobugabe, Gladys Mbabazi, and Tracy Naluwooza.
Tracy Naluwooza.
Together, they have elevated Uganda’s status in African badminton.
In 2023, Kobugabe and Mbabazi won a historic gold medal in women’s doubles at the All Africa Games in Ghana, alongside individual successes, such as Mbabazi’s silver medal and Fadilah’s bronze in the same event.
These players have also represented Uganda at international levels, including the BWF Thomas & Uber Cup Finals 2024 in Chengdu, China.
Although they didn’t win medals, their experience on the world stage has made them stronger and more competitive.
The Ugandan team’s courage was acknowledged globally when a Chinese writer described them as “outclassed, but Uganda won hearts.”
While the men’s team has not garnered as much attention, they are no less dedicated.
Players like Agustus Owiny, Amos Muyanja, and Lubega Muzafaru have participated in the All Africa Games and represented Uganda in various international competitions.
Kenneth Mwambu, another strong contender, secured a bronze medal in men’s doubles at the All-Africa Senior Championships and played in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Currently, Owiny holds a ranking of 14th in Africa, with 4,140 points.
Augustus Owinyi.
While the Ugandan team will be missing key players like Kasirye Brian and Emudu Expendito both of whom contributed significantly to past successes, head coach Kalimunda Ivan remains confident.
His team has been working hard, and with a focus on gold, they are eager to make their mark in Cameroon.
Shamika Fadilah remains hopeful for a successful campaign, stating that she’s motivated by her father’s constant encouragement.
“I’m ready to compete. Honestly, I want to thank my dad for pushing me to reach this level,” she shared.
After completing her Senior Six studies, Fadilah is focused entirely on her badminton career, setting her sights on qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.
