Experienced Nanyonga ready to lead She Cranes' medal charge at Commonwealth Games
Nanyonga is the longest-serving player in Uganda's national netball team and the only remaining member of the squad that played at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Goal attacker Racheal Nanyonga. PHOTO: Ismail Mulangwa
Goal attacker Racheal Nanyonga heads to the 2026 Commonwealth Games as the most experienced player in the She Cranes squad, carrying with her years of international exposure and the responsibility of leading Uganda's quest for a historic medal.
Nanyonga is the longest-serving player in Uganda's national netball team and the only remaining member of the squad that played at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Her return to the Games marks a full-circle moment, having grown from a young debutant into the captain entrusted with guiding a new generation of players.
Nanyonga admits that the difference between her first appearance and this year's tournament is immense.
"During my first Commonwealth Games, I was very young and naive. This time, I have gained enough experience. Being my second Commonwealth Games, I feel ready, and I believe my team is also ready," she said.
Her international journey stretches far beyond the Commonwealth Games. Nanyonga represented Uganda at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, before returning for a second World Cup appearance in Liverpool, England, in 2019.
She has also played a key role in some of Uganda's greatest continental successes. Nanyonga was part of the She Cranes side that won the 2016 Africa Netball Cup on home soil in Kampala before helping the team retain continental glory at the 2018 Africa Netball Cup in Lusaka, Zambia.
Her consistency, leadership, and ability to perform on the biggest stages made her the natural choice to captain the national team. Beyond scoring goals, she has become a mentor to many of the younger players making their first major international appearance.
As captain, Nanyonga is determined to use her experience to inspire the team and ensure Uganda competes with confidence against some of the world's strongest netball nations.
"What I assure all Ugandans is that we are all going to give our best so that we perform well. Our target is to finish in the medal bracket or come back home with a trophy," she said.
With nearly a decade of international experience, Nanyonga has witnessed the growth of Ugandan netball firsthand.