Uganda to host first-ever U-15 African Rising Stars Women Baseball Series

Uganda will host the inaugural U-15 African Rising Stars Women Baseball Series at the National Friendship Baseball Stadium in Gayaza from January 7–10, 2026.

Organised by the Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBASA), the tournament will feature Uganda and South Africa in a best-of-seven friendly series. This maiden edition marks the official launch of the African Rising Stars Women Baseball Series, with Uganda becoming the first host nation.

UBASA president John Bosco Ssempa said the event will send a strong message about women’s place in baseball.

“We expect to continue women’s involvement in sports. We are also eager to gain victory over South Africa. Playing at home gives us energy and confidence because we will leverage home advantage,” Ssempa noted.

UBASA is leading the organisation in partnership with Baseball at Heart, with each partner handling logistics, competition management, and youth development. The tournament is part of UBASA’s broader strategy to grow baseball at grassroots level, particularly among girls.

Ssempa emphasized that hosting the series is a major step in advancing women’s baseball and inclusion in Uganda.

“This tournament resonates with UBASA’s strategic objective to promote women’s involvement in baseball and reaffirm that the sport is for both boys and girls,” he said.

The matches will be staged at the National Friendship Baseball Stadium, also known as the Uganda–Japan National Baseball Stadium.

Ssempa praised the Catholic Church for its role in providing the facility, describing it as “a great rehabilitation centre, a community fitness avenue, and a hub for youth development in sports.”

The South African team is expected to arrive on January 6, with a pre-tournament meeting scheduled that afternoon.

The series will open on January 7 with a ceremony, followed by daily double-headers.

The final day, January 10, will feature a single match and the prize-giving ceremony. In total, at least seven games will be played. Uganda’s team will report to camp in Gayaza on January 2 to begin preparations.

The tournament comes on the heels of recent successes for Ugandan baseball and softball. Uganda’s women’s softball team finished second at the Africa qualifiers in Nairobi, advancing to the next stage of the Women’s Softball World Cup qualification race. Shortly after, Uganda’s U-15 baseball team won silver at the World Cup qualifiers.

UBASA has also been active locally, organising several youth competitions. These include an international youth tournament featuring South Sudan at AVRS School in Mpigi, won by AVRS; the Uganda Koshien Tournament at Alliance High School, Nansana, won by Ashinaga Baseball Club; and the Christmas Baseball Cup in Gayaza, organised by former player and umpire Gerald Kasozi, which was won by Dodgers Baseball Club.