Sports
She Cranes unveil Commonwealth squad, line up South Africa training camp
The team has already entered residential training at the Jeph International University indoor courts in Butabika, where they will remain before travelling to South Africa between July 11 and 16.
Part of the She Cranes team pose with the Commonwealth Games president Donald Rukare (8th right) and Netball Uganda president Jocelyn Ucanda (center) and officials after an engagement with Rukare at Lugogo, June 28, 2026. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)
By: Michael Nsubuga, Journalist @New Vision
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Netball Uganda has unveiled a 15-member She Cranes squad that will travel to South Africa for a training camp ahead of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
The team has already entered residential training at the Jeph International University indoor courts in Butabika, where they will remain before travelling to South Africa between July 11 and 16. They will then head to Scotland for the Commonwealth Games, where 12 of the world's top teams will compete over nine days from July 25 to August 2.
According to Netball Uganda president Jocelyn Ucanda, the five-day series of build-up matches against South Africa was requested by Uganda.
“The training camp in SA was requested by Netball Uganda, and it will be in Johannesburg for 5 days. South Africa is Africa’s number one, while Uganda is ranked second. We need to support each other as Africans as we prepare for the Commonwealth Games,” Ucanda said after the team held a warm-up training session with Commonwealth Games Uganda president Donald Rukare at Lugogo on Sunday.
According to the Glasgow 2026 netball schedule, the competition will be played at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), with the iconic Hydro providing the backdrop. The 12 participating nations have been drawn into two pools.
Uganda, currently ranked sixth in the world, has been drawn in Pool B alongside world number two New Zealand, fourth-ranked Jamaica, Wales (seventh), Scotland (10th) and Trinidad and Tobago (12th).
Pool A comprises Australia (first), England (third), South Africa (fifth), Malawi (eighth), Tonga (ninth) and Northern Ireland (12th).
The She Cranes, coached by Rashid Mubiru and Ruth Meeme, comprise Mary Nuba Cholhok, Shadiah Nassanga, Rachael Nannyonga, Alice Winnie Isoto, Margaret Baagala, Lillian Achola, Mercy Batamuliza, Hindu Namutebi, Joan Ryekoboth, Shaffie Nalwanja, Gloria Ayaa, Christine Nakitto, Hanisha Muhameed, Nasimu Mutesi and Stella Nanfuka.
According to the Glasgow 2026 netball schedule, the competition will be played at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), with the iconic Hydro providing the backdrop. The 12 participating nations have been drawn into two pools.
Uganda, currently ranked sixth in the world, has been drawn in Pool B alongside world number two New Zealand, fourth-ranked Jamaica, Wales (seventh), Scotland (10th) and Trinidad and Tobago (12th).
Pool A comprises Australia (first), England (third), South Africa (fifth), Malawi (eighth), Tonga (ninth) and Northern Ireland (12th).
The She Cranes, coached by Rashid Mubiru and Ruth Meeme, comprise Mary Nuba Cholhok, Shadiah Nassanga, Rachael Nannyonga, Alice Winnie Isoto, Margaret Baagala, Lillian Achola, Mercy Batamuliza, Hindu Namutebi, Joan Ryekoboth, Shaffie Nalwanja, Gloria Ayaa, Christine Nakitto, Hanisha Muhameed, Nasimu Mutesi and Stella Nanfuka.