She Cranes to begin Commonwealth Games campaign against Wales in Glasgow

She Cranes fixture

25 July  She Cranes vs Wales :  4:00pm 

26 July She Cranes vs Trinidad and Tobago 9:00pm

27 July She cranes Vs Jamaica : 9:00pm

28July She Cranes vs New Zealand : 9:00pm

30 July She Cranes vs Scotland  11:00am 

Uganda's national netball team, the She Cranes, ranked sixth in the world, will begin their 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign on Saturday when they face seventh-ranked Wales at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

The encounter will be only the second meeting between the two sides at the Commonwealth Games since Uganda made its debut at the 2018 Gold Coast edition. The She Cranes enjoyed a dominant start in their first meeting, defeating Wales 76-40 at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Uganda will be hoping for another strong performance as they begin their quest to improve on their fifth-place finish at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

Uganda is drawn in Group B alongside Wales, Scotland, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Trinidad and Tobago, setting up a challenging group stage for the East Africans.

New Zealand is the opponent Uganda has faced most frequently at the Commonwealth Games. The two sides will meet for the third time in Glasgow, with the Silver Ferns winning both previous encounters. New Zealand defeated Uganda 64-51 at the 2018 Gold Coast Games before recording a 53-40 victory at Birmingham 2022.

The She Cranes will face Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games for the first time. However, the two nations have met several times at the Netball World Cup, with Jamaica winning all their previous encounters.

Uganda will also renew its rivalry with Trinidad and Tobago, whom they defeated 62-28 at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. The She Cranes will meet Scotland for the second time at the Games, having beaten them 57-37 in their first encounter at Gold Coast 2018.

Assistant head coach Ruth Meeme believes the experience gained from previous Commonwealth Games will give Uganda an advantage as they target a place in the medal bracket.

"Most of the players on the team were part of the squad that went to Birmingham in 2022. I believe and trust in the girls, and I believe we can get better results. I know we can make it to the medal bracket," Meeme said.

Uganda finished fifth at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, their best-ever position at the event. With a largely experienced squad and ambitions of going further this time, the She Cranes will be aiming to make a strong statement from their opening game against Wales.

She Cranes squad in Glasgow: Mary Nuba, Shadia Nassanga, Racheal Nanyonga, Winnie Isoto, Margret Baagala, Joan Reykoboth, Lilian Achola, Mercy Batamuliza, Shaffie Nalwanja, Gloria Aya, Haniisha Muhameed, and Nassim Mutesi.

Head Coach : Rashid Mubiru

Assistant Head coach : Ruth Meeme