The Cricket Cranes team has been flagged off to Nairobi for the 2023 Continent Cup T20 due 7th – 21st June at Nairobi Gymkhana Club.

The squad of 14 led by Brian Masaba was officially flagged off by Mr Katende David, Assistant General Secretary of the National Council of Sports

The inaugural Continent Cup T20 will feature Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana & hosts Kenya.

The Cricket Cranes travel with most of their T20 core players such as Dinesh Nakrani, Riazat Ali Shah, Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi but there is room for two debutants Nsubuga Siraje and Robinson Obuya.

I have been here for two years and my boys and I have been priviledged to represent our country.

It will be difficult playing against Kenya at home but that is where we to be as a team. We have to be in these difficult situations so that we are ready for the World Cup Qualifiers. This is why such tournaments are very important.

Lawrence Mahatlane – Head Coach, Cricket Cranes

Uganda is the highest-ranked team in the tournament at 24th and will need to be at their best to make sure they don’t drop any ranking points.

Uganda’s She Cranes are taking their preparations to a higher level as they intend to head to South Africa next month for the Netball World Cup.

They will have at most two players who have featured at the global event with the July 28 to August 6 tournament fast approaching.

The She Cranes squad is taking shape after the training squad was reduced to 20 and of the twenty players Fred Mugerwa named to continue training, only Prisons’ Goal Keeper Stella Naanfuka and Loughborough Lightning’s Goal Shooter Mary Nuba (who is yet to join the team) have played at the World Cup.

KCCA’s shooter Irene Eyaru who has captained the team at the African championship gets the chance to lead the group on the global stage and will be assisted by NIC’s midcourt star Maggie Bagaala.

The appointment of the duo guarantees their place in the final fifteen which will make the trip to South Africa.

The team resumes training on Monday at the Africa Bible University in Lubowa as they enter a residential camp.

The Squad

Shooters: Irene Eyaru (Captain, KCCA), Mercy Batamurinza (KCCA), Mary Nuba (Lightning UK), Namulumba Christine Kango (Prisons NC), Shadia Nassanga (KCCA) and Kabendera Asinah (Weyonje NC)

Mid Court: Sarah Nakiyunga (NIC), Annet Najjuka (KCCA), Joyce Nakibuule (Prisons), Norah Lunkuse (KCCA), Lillian Achola (Weyonje NC), Margret Baagala (Assistant Captain, NIC)

Defenders: Asingo Viola (Prisons NC), Hanisha Muhammad (KCCA), Nakitto Christine (KCCA), Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), Kayeny Privas (NIC), Nassaka Shakirah (Weyonje NC), Kadondi Faridah (Weyonje NC) and Shaffie Nalwanja (KCCA)

Cricket Cranes head coach Lawrence Mahatlane has justified the selection of debutants Obuya Robinson and Nsubuga Siraje to the national team set-up.

The duo were selected to replace a host of injured and absent players who may be available at a later stage of the year’s engagements.

Siraje and Robinson will turn up at the Continent Cup T-20 in Nairobi with the hope they make crucial statements to become main-stays in the set-up.

“It’s exciting when players are given opportunities; Robinson and Siraje deserve it because they have been outstanding over the past months,” Mahatlane told Pulse Sports Uganda.

“It’s tough to lose players to injuries, but it’s also always key to keep building depth; I have always said we need to be able to have at least three players per number.”

“Now Juma Miyagi, Cosmas Kyewuta, Ronak Patel, Ronald Lutaaya and Joshua Baguma are all out with injuries and personal reasons,” he added.

The selected 14-man Cricket Cranes squad will join five other nations in Tanzania, Nigeria, Botswana, Uganda, and Rwanda and hosts Kenya for the inaugural Continent Cup T-20 Africa, which will run from 9th – 20th June.

Travelling Team: Roger Mukasa, Simon Ssesazi, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani, Frank Nsubuga, Brain Masaba, Alpesh Ramjani, Kenneth Waiswa, Siraje Nsubuga, Kakuru Cyrus, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassan, Pascal Murungi.

The Cricket Cranes Kenya bound team for the Continent T20 Cup has been named with the tournament set to bowl off from 9th to 20th June at the Nairobi Gymkhana Club.

One of the notable inclusions is Nsubuga Siraje whom it has taken a long time to get his chance at the senior level.

Siraje’s peers such as Frank Nsubuga, Rogers Olipa, Richard Agamire, Zephaniah Arinaitwe, Trevor Bukenya, and Cosmas Kyewuta have all gotten their shot at the national team.

However, the Continent T20 Cup gives him a shot at making his full debut. Juma Miyagi is out of contention, while Ronald Lutaya misses due to exams.

Robinson Obuya gets a place on the team as well, after making an impression on Head Coach Laurence Mahatlane.

The 14-man squad for the Continent T20 Cup will be missing some fast bowling experience with Cosmas Kyewuta in South Africa in a training camp.

Bilal Hassun will be the main fast-bowling threat on a flat and his support will be the medium pacers Riazat Ali Shah, Dinesh Nakrani and Kenneth Waiswa.

The slow bowling options are plenty and include Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Alpesh Ramjani, Siraje Nsubuga, captain Brian Masaba and batter Roger Mukasa.

Full Squad: Brian Masaba (C), Kenneth Waiswa, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Roger Mukasa, Siraje Nsubuga, Bilal Hassun, Dinesh Nakrani, Alpesh Ramjani, Simon Ssesazi, Cyrus Kakuru

• Tournament: Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament
• Dates: June 8th -18th
• Venue: Kigali, Rwanda

The Victoria Pearls Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament bound team has been named by Uganda Cricket Association.

The 9th Edition of the annual Kwibuka Peace Tournament will be happening in Kigali from June 8th – 18th.

Uganda has won the tournament twice and will be making its sixth appearance at the tournament, alongside hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria and Botswana.

The late withdrawal of Namibia and Tanzania leaves Uganda as the highest-ranked team in the tournament.

Coach Lawrence Ssematimba’s charges have won back-to-back tournaments after winning the Victoria Series at home and the Capricorn Eagles Quadrangular Series.

A squad of 14 players named today will be led by Consy Aweko with three players making way for three youngsters from the U-19 team.

Esther Iloku, Sarah Akiteng and Gloria Obukor are the players who make way for Lorna Anyait, Marisa Ariokot and Jimia Mohammad.

While Jimia Mohammad made her debut last year, Lorna Anyait and Marisa Ariokot will be making their full senior debuts.

The tournament will have T20I status therefore there are ranking points available for the teams to earn. Uganda last won the Kwibuka tournament in 2016.

The Final 14: Consy Aweko (Captain), Janet Mbabazi, Phiona Khulume, Kevin Awino, Irene Alumo, Proscovia Alako, Patricia Malemikia, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Stephanie Nampiina, Evelyn Anyipo, Rita Musamali, Malisa Ariokot, Lorna Anyait, Jimia Mohammad.

Uganda is to start preparations to have itself ready after being selected by ICC to host the final round of the Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers for the African region.

The event to take place at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in the capital Kampala is scheduled for Dec. 7-18.

Eight teams including hosts Uganda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia and two others that will qualify from the Division Two qualifiers in Botswana in October will take part.

The top two sides from the qualifiers in Kampala will qualify for the global qualifiers to represent Africa just before the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 which will be held in Bangladesh.

“We are excited to host the T20 Women’s qualifiers. This shows the faith that ICC has in our capacity to host an event of this magnitude,” Joshua Mwanja, the UCA Operations Manager told Xinhua.

“The work for us starts immediately to prepare the grounds and also ensure we get local partners to come on board and support us,” added Mwanja.

Uganda featured at the T20 Women’s global qualifiers in 2018 in the Netherlands after winning the African regional qualifiers in Namibia in 2017.

Uganda Cricket Association has confirmed that it will host the final leg of the Women’s Qualifiers for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded Uganda the hosting rights after South Africa was originally touted to be host in September.

The tournament will take place from December 7th- 18th, 2023 and will feature eight teams in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Namibia, and hosts Uganda as well as two teams from the Division 2 Qualifiers that will be played in Botswana in October.

The top two sides from the African Regional Qualifiers will qualify for the Global Qualifiers to represent the continent.

In the past, only one team has been qualifying out of Africa but now at least two sides will have the chance to represent Africa at the global qualifiers.

The Victoria Pearls were at the Global Qualifiers in 2018 in the Netherlands after winning the regional qualifiers in Namibia in 2017.

Uganda has been selected to host the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers from Dec 7th – 18th 2023.

Eight Teams: Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Nigeria, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda + 2 teams from the Div. 2 Qualifiers.

The top two sides will qualify for the Global Qualifiers to represent Africa. pic.twitter.com/6qrB5G7af6

— Uganda Cricket Association (@CricketUganda) May 22, 2023

• Friday, May 19
• St Mary’s Kitende 1(5)-1(3) Amus College

St Mary’s Secondary School Kitende advanced for the final of the ongoing USSSA Boys Football championship in Fort Portal.

Kitende ousted Amus College after playing to a one-all draw in the second semifinal duel at Nyakasura playground.

Frank Katongole found the back of the net connecting on a rebound after Amus College’s backline failed to deal with a long throw-in by Justine Opiro.

However, in the 24th minute, Allan Oyirwoth rose past Ronald Madoi to powerfully node home hence levelling matters.

At the stroke of the first stanza, Kitende were awarded a penalty after the ball went off the Amus’ defender.

Olimi Nyarwa stepped up to the occasion but placed the ball wide of goal.

Amus’ Ashiru Ssembatya missed his penalty kick as Kitende’s custodian Allan Bantali punched it away.

Amus’ three spots were converted by Toto Majubu, Abdul Razak and Samuel Ola.

While Kitende’s five spots were scored by Derrick Kato, Habib Oloya, Ronald Madoi, Samuel Lukuye and Hakim Mutebi.

The victory means the defending champions will play against St Henry’s Kitovu in the finals.

The two sides met in group A and Kitovu edged Kitende in a 2-1 victory.

Kitende are the defending champions having beaten St Kaggwa in last year’s finals that were held in Arua.

The Baby Cricket Cranes won their first 50-over game on their two-week training camp at Sanjay Farm in India.

The youngsters who are preparing for the U-19 World Cup Qualifiers in Tanzania on July 23rd-29th won the toss and elected to bowl 1st in the heat of Chikili.

Christopher Kidega secured the breakthrough for Uganda with the host Paramveer Cricket Academy on 30.

On a slow wicket, Joshua Baguma (3/43) and Yunus Sowobi (2/29) exploited the conditions well to restrict the hosts to 200.

On his debut tour with the U-19’s left arm, slow bowler Ali Balidawa picked up two wickets for 34 in his eight overs, Captain Fahad Mutagana and Jonathan Nyero also picked up a wicket.

Ronald Omara (21) and Gerald Olipa (32 not out) had an opening stand of 49 before the former departed but Uganda was never in trouble with the contributions from the whole group.

Joseph Baguma (47) had a fine all-round performance and he got assistance from Brian Asaba (32) and Christopher Kidega (22) as Uganda won by 3 wickets.

The boys will play at least six 50-over games and a T20 match before they return home.

Match Summary | U-19 Boys Tour To India

Game 1: Paramveer Cricket Academy v Uganda U-19 | 50 over Match

Uganda U-19 won the toss and elected to bowl 1st

Paramveer Cricket Academy 200 all out

• Rishi Nayak 41
• Darshil Patel 33

• Joseph Baguma 3/43
• Yunus Sowobi 2/29
• Ali Balidawa 2/34

Uganda U-19 203/7

• Joseph Baguma 47
• Asaba Brian 38
• Gerald Olipa 32

• Prince Ahir 2/38

Uganda U-19 won by 3 wickets

Player of the Match: Joseph Baguma (3/43 & 47 runs)

FINAL: Girls Schools Cricket Week

Light Secondary School v Olila High School
Light SSS 54/9
Olila High School 56/5
Olila High Won by 5 wickets

3rd/4th Final

Jinja SSS v Masaka SSS
Jinja SSS 105/5
Masaka SSS 84/5
Jinja SSS won by 21 runs

Tournament MVP: Alako Proscovia (Masaka SSS)
Best Bowler: Patricia Timong (Light SSS)
Best Batter: Jimia Mohammad (Olila High School)

Olila High School claimed the Girl’s Schools Cricket Week for the third time in a row, achieving the feat at home and against a local rival Light SSS.

Olila High School won the title without dropping a game during the one-week tournament held in Soroti City for the 1st time.

Olila High School blitzed through the group games without dropping a game after topping Group A, they dominated Jinja SSS in the Semifinals before defeating Light SSS in a repeat of the 2019 final.

Jinja SSS finished 3rd after defeating Masaka SSS in the 3/4 place playoff final and the two losses for Masaka SSS have come on the back of two Alako failures clearly a team that relied a lot on one individual.

Soroti Cricket Academy ensured that the schools leave with some good memories of the tournament with some quiz and dance competitions for the schools in the evenings.

Victoria Pearl’s batter Proscovia Alako picked up the MVP award after her runs took Masaka SSS to the semifinals while Patricia Timong of Light SSS took the best bowler award.

The tournament was played at four grounds in Soroti with Teso College offering two playing surfaces with St Mary’s Madera and Fr Hilders the other playing surface.