With the sun glaring fiercely over the Lugogo Cricket Oval, the rhythmic thud of leather on willow and the shouts of encouragement echo in the air as the Victoria Pearls prepare for their next assignment, the Kwibuka T20I Tournament in Kigali, Rwanda slated to begin on June 2.
Fresh off a morale-boosting Women’s Day Cup victory and a shared series against the Capricorn Eagles, the Ugandan women’s cricket team is not basking in past glories.
Instead, they are grinding harder than ever, intent on sharpening every facet of their game from tactical bowling spells to confident top-order batting.
At the heart of this relentless pursuit of excellence stands Assistant Coach Brian Masaba, a name familiar to Ugandan cricket enthusiasts.
During a midweek training session, Masaba offered insight into the transformation happening within the camp, a transformation driven not just by drills and technique but by dialogue and reflection.
“Different batters have now identified the key positions and responsibilities they have in the team,” Masaba revealed, sweat glistening under his cap.
“And in general, there has been very good growth. The feedback sessions are very important for us.”
Masaba’s remarks underline a fundamental shift in the team’s approach, one that leans heavily on introspection and communication between players and the coaching unit.
Alongside Head Coach Deus Muhumuza and with mental conditioning support from the team psychologist, Masaba has been instrumental in fostering a growth mindset within the side.
“But even for us as coaches,” he continued, “we need to know if what we are doing is working or not. And the best way to do that is to get that feedback from the players.”
It’s a philosophy that places equal weight on strategy and execution where the learning curve bends upwards with every honest conversation.
Masaba pointed to the trial matches as critical markers in this journey moments where the bowlers test their precision and the batters in turn are forced to adapt and evolve.
“Once we get our bowlers’ ball right, during our trial games, when they bowl the same required lines for the batters, then the batters will have a bigger challenge,” Masaba added.
“That will help them grow.”
The Victoria Pearls, already a beacon of progress for women’s cricket in Uganda, are shaping up to be serious contenders at Kwibuka.
But what’s more striking than their technical preparations is the culture being built, one that prioritizes player responsibility, mental strength and continuous learning.
