She Cranes prove education and sport can thrive together

In recent years, the world of sports has witnessed a paradigm shift. Professional athletes are increasingly embracing education, recognizing it as essential for holistic personal development.

Many have come to realise that sports careers are often short-lived, vulnerable to injuries and age limits. Education provides a vital “fallback option” and a second identity, opening doors to new professions such as coaching, business, medicine, law, and beyond.

This shift is evident among the She Cranes, Uganda’s senior netball team, where a growing number of players are proving that intellectual development is just as important as athletic prowess.

Out of the final squad of 14 players selected in November 2025 for the prestigious Celtic Netball Cup in Glasgow, Scotland, and later for the African Netball Cup in Swakopmund, Namibia, nine were fresh graduates from various universities.

These included Fildauce Namulema, Margaret Baagala, Shadia Nassanga, Shakira Nassaka, Norah Lunkuse, Faridah Kadondi, Christine Nakitto, Lilian Achola, and Shaffie Nalwanja, all of whom distinguished themselves academically while excelling on the court.

Namulema, the team’s center court maestro, recently completed a three-year bachelor’s degree in Leisure and Hospitality Management. Reflecting on her journey, she told Vision Sport:

“I’m still overwhelmed with emotion as I recall the struggles I faced balancing my academic responsibilities with the demands of competing at the highest level. It has been a journey marked by perseverance and sacrifice, with many late nights spent poring over notes and research papers. There were times when I’d find myself dozing off in class, exhausted from the rigors of training and competition, but my determination to succeed kept me going.”

Her sentiments are echoed by teammates who have also achieved remarkable academic milestones. Baagala, the former She Cranes captain, holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Kampala University. Nassanga, a prolific shooter, graduated from Victoria University with a degree in Business Administration, while Nassaka earned a bachelor’s in Secretarial Information and Office Management from Kampala University.

Norah Lunkuse completed a degree in Public Administration at Kampala International University, while Faridah Kadondi, currently a free agent after her contract with Nottingham Forest Netball Club in England ended, graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from Kampala University. Shakira Nassaka, who plays for NIC Netball Club, also earned a degree in Secretarial Information and Office Management from Kampala University.

Christine Nakitto, a defender for KCCA Netball Club, graduated with a degree in Microfinance from Ndejje University. Makindye Weeyonje mid-court player Lilian Achola completed her degree in Business Administration specializing in Management, also at Ndejje University. Meanwhile, KCCA’s Immaculate Natasha recently finalized her bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality from Victoria University.

The She Cranes’ academic achievements highlight a new era in Ugandan sport—one where athletes are not only celebrated for their skills on the court but also for their resilience in classrooms and lecture halls. Their stories serve as a reminder that success in sports and education can coexist, and that the pursuit of knowledge is a powerful tool for life beyond the game.