Uganda’s junior badminton stars shine with three bronze medals at future series

Ugandan junior badminton players delivered a commendable performance at the 2026 Uganda Junior International Badminton Future Series, securing three bronze medals and restoring pride and hope in the sport.

The tournament concluded Sunday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.

Arafat Kibirige was the first to mount the podium, earning a bronze medal in the men’s singles category after a hard-fought semifinal against Malaysia’s Lee Shawn, which he lost 2-0.

Uganda added two more bronzes through their doubles pairs. The mixed doubles team of Denis Mukasa and Joan Sendiwala claimed third place, while the men’s duo of Marvin Bakaki and Benjamin Ssekanjako also secured a bronze medal.

The three-day competition drew 93 players from 13 nations, with Uganda fielding the largest contingent of 55 athletes. The junior event served as a precursor to the Uganda International Challenge, where only one Ugandan player, Fadilah Shamika, advanced to the round of 16.

For Kibirige, a student at Kibuli Secondary School, the medal is both an honor and a motivator.

“It is a pleasure to win a bronze medal, and this motivates me to work even harder,” he said. “As Ugandans, we have the talent to match foreign players, but we need better equipment, training facilities, and more exposure to international competitions outside Uganda.”

Joan Sendiwala, a student at Rubaga Girls School, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that Ugandan players have what it takes to aim higher.

“We fought hard to reach this stage, but we lacked endurance and communication on the court. With proper preparation, it is possible to excel,” she noted.

On the international front, Saudi Arabia’s Amer Mohammed successfully defended his men’s singles title, taking gold and setting his sights on the World Youth Olympics in Senegal and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He also partnered with Nabiha Shariff to win gold in the mixed doubles.

In the women’s singles, 16-year-old Micah Ciuz from Chicago, USA, claimed the gold medal.

Saudi Arabia topped the overall country rankings with two gold medals and one bronze. Kazakhstan finished second with one gold and two silver, while Algeria placed third with one gold, one silver, and one bronze. Mauritius followed in fourth with one silver and three bronze, while Malaysia secured one silver and Egypt took home one bronze.

Simon Mugabi, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Badminton Association, praised the local players for their achievements against well-resourced opponents.

“They have competed against players who train at high-performance centers and are well equipped in their countries. Our players lack many of these facilities, but the talent is evident,” Mugabi said.

Looking ahead, the Ugandan junior team will shift focus to the Taibah Schools competition, scheduled for next month on the Uganda Badminton Association calendar.