Ugandan clubs battle for semifinal spots at East Africa Netball Championships

Ugandan clubs will today battle for semifinal places as the group stages of the East Africa Netball Club Championships conclude at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Kenya.

Prisons vs NIC

Today, NIC faces longtime rivals Prisons in a highly anticipated clash as both teams look to maintain their unbeaten run. NIC, which has won all its matches and leads Group A with six points, is aiming to finish the group stages with a clean sheet. However, regardless of the result, NIC has already secured qualification to the semifinals.

Prisons has played two matches, registering one win and one draw to sit second on the table with three points. If they lose to NIC, they may have to rely on goal difference to progress.

Prisons assistant coach Ruth Meeme emphasized the importance of the match, saying the team must put in more effort than they did in yesterday’s game against Ulinzi.

“We either win or draw against NIC. If NIC beats us, it has to be by a small margin of one or two goals. We know we can win our last game against Redprils, but it is against NIC where we need to set clear targets,” Meeme explained.

Currently, both Prisons and Ulinzi have three points, although Ulinzi suffered a loss to NIC.

In other fixtures, Police will face Zanzibar’s KVZ, while Prisons will take on Red Pearls later in the evening after their match against NIC. KCCA is also set to play Jeshi Stars.

All Ugandan teams are targeting semifinal places. NIC are the defending champions after winning the 2025 East Africa Netball Club Championships and will be aiming to retain the title.

Prisons 39-39 Ulinzi

The match between Uganda Prisons and Kenya’s Ulinzi was a decisive encounter in Group A, with qualification hopes at stake. A loss for Prisons would have dropped them to third place and left them at risk of elimination from the group stages.

Prisons entered the game fully aware that only the top two teams from each group would qualify for the semifinals.

However, Ulinzi proved difficult opponents. Determined to secure victory, the Kenyan side won the opening three quarters, with the first half ending 21-19 in their favour.

In the second half, the Prisons coaching staff made three crucial changes to avoid defeat. Aisha Nakabuye replaced Hadija Nakabuye at goal attacker, while Akello Malisera came in for Eve Ayitesi at goal defense. Later, Ayitesi returned to replace Stella Nanfuka at goal keeper.

The changes paid off as Prisons managed to make four interceptions and erase a six-goal deficit, forcing the match to end in a 39-39 draw.

KCCA 45-35 Kenya Prisons

After losing their second match to Police, KCCA returned determined to revive their semifinal hopes.

As reigning Uganda Netball Super League champions, KCCA bounced back strongly to defeat Kenya Prisons despite facing a tough opponent.

Head coach Fred Mugerwa said the team had to regroup quickly after the defeat.

“Yesterday we faced a challenge. Police play a rough game, which we are not used to as a team. We had several injuries, so we needed a clear strategy. We needed this win to finish second in the group because only two teams qualify for the semifinals from each group,” Mugerwa explained.

Wednesday Results

Police 43:  28 Jeshi stars

Prisons 39:39 Ulinzi

KCCA 45:35 Kenya Prison

Thursday fixtures

NIC vs prisons 9:20am

Police vs KVZ 12:00pm

Prisons vs Redperils 5:20pm

Men

Legacy vs Kampala University 1:20pm