The Uganda Lady CranesTeam·Uganda Lady Cranes are poised for a significant challenge as they head to NairobiVenue·Nairobi, KenyaTeam·Kenya, for the 2026 CAVB Women's African Nations ChampionshipCompetition·CAVB Women's African Nations Championship. The continental tournament, scheduled from August 23 to September 5, 2026, represents a crucial pathway not only to the FIVB Volleyball Nations ChampionshipCompetition·FIVB Volleyball Nations Championship but also to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic GamesCompetition·Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women's World CupCompetition·FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup.
Uganda earned their place in this prestigious event through an unbeaten run in the Zone V qualifiers held in Kampala. Their dominant performance saw them overcome both South SudanTeam·South Sudan and BurundiTeam·Burundi, securing the top spot in the regional competition. Individual excellence was also recognized during the qualifiers, with captain Joan TushemerirwePlayer·Joan Tushemerirwe earning the Most Valuable Player award. Katreena OdermattPlayer·Katreena Odermatt, Scovia AlungatPlayer·Scovia Alungat, and Shamirah KalanziPlayer·Shamirah Kalanzi also received accolades for their standout contributions.
As one of 16 national teams to qualify, the Lady Cranes join a competitive field that includes host nation KenyaTeam·Kenya, along with powerhouses such as EgyptTeam·Egypt, CameroonTeam·Cameroon, and RwandaTeam·Rwanda. Other qualified teams represent various zones across the continent, including AlgeriaTeam·Algeria, NigeriaTeam·Nigeria, MoroccoTeam·Morocco, MaliTeam·Mali, Burkina FasoTeam·Burkina Faso, TunisiaTeam·Tunisia, SenegalTeam·Senegal, GhanaTeam·Ghana, Democratic Republic of CongoTeam·Democratic Republic of Congo, BurundiTeam·Burundi, and ZambiaTeam·Zambia.
The team's ambition extends beyond mere participation, as articulated by Prossy Rahma NamulemeCoach·Prossy Rahma Namuleme, the team manager for the Uganda Lady Volleyball Cranes. Namuleme emphasized a shift in focus towards achieving tangible results on the international stage.
"This time we are not going just to participate. We want to compete, win matches, and qualify for the FIVB Nations Championship. I call upon all Ugandans to support the team."— Prossy Rahma Namuleme.
Namuleme further highlighted the positive attitude and commitment demonstrated by the squad during their preparations, even amidst the rigorous process of final squad selection. The coaching staff is reportedly concentrating on refining team chemistry, optimizing their system of play, and ensuring the players maintain a competitive mindset as the championship approaches. The continental champions will earn a direct berth to the Olympics, while the top three highest-ranked teams not already qualified will secure places in the World Cup, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming tournament for the Lady Cranes.
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