The journey to continental glory did not begin in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. It started months earlier with a vision, careful planning, bold recruitment, and the determination to build a youthful side capable of conquering the East African region once again.
When the final whistle sounded inside the packed Ulinzi Sports Complex in Langata Military Barracks, the Uganda Prisons Netball Club famously known as the Prisons Queens stood tall as champions of the 2026 East Africa Netball Club Championship after defeating defending champions NIC Netball Club 41-38 in a mouth-watering final in Nairobi.
For the Queens, it was not merely a title triumph. It was the reward for discipline, preparation, belief, resilience, and the successful rebuilding of a team that many had underestimated.
Building A New Generation
Long before the tournament began, the technical team embarked on a deliberate mission to rejuvenate the squad by recruiting young and talented players from some of Uganda’s top netball academies, particularly St. Mary’s Kitende, Buddo, and St. Noah Girls Schools.
The new generation included Carol Abalo at Wing Defence, Evelyn Ayitasi at Goal Keeper, Nashim Khadala at Centre, Aisha Nakuya at Goal Attack, Joan Reykoboth at Wing Attack, and Zela Nathama Sumaiyah at Goal Defense.
The youthful recruits arrived with talent and ambition, but they also needed guidance, conditioning, and the right mentality to thrive at the highest level.
To strengthen the physical and mental demands of the game, the club recruited Gonzaga Kigozi as the fitness, body strength, and conditioning coach. His arrival transformed the team’s conditioning, endurance, intensity, and overall physical preparedness.
The Queens conducted intensive training sessions for nearly two months before the tournament. Training focused on all sporting elements of modern netball — tactical awareness, transitions, defensive organization, shooting accuracy, pressing systems, endurance, and mental strength.
Former legendary coach Imelda Nyongesa also remained closely involved during preparations, offering guidance and experience to both players and coaches.
Head Coach Hassan Kato Nouredine emphasized merit-based selection and built a high-performance culture within the squad. Training sessions were intense, competitive, and designed to prepare players for the demanding nature of a tournament where matches are played almost every day.
The players were equally taught and reminded about the Uganda Prisons culture of being “A Centre of Excellence” in all programmes and sports disciplines. Team unity, discipline, resilience, professionalism, and togetherness became central pillars of the squad.
By the time the team departed for Nairobi, the Queens looked physically stronger, tactically sharper, and mentally ready for battle.
The Squad That Travelled To Nairobi
The championship squad consisted of:
1. Stella Nanfuka – Defense
2. Isa Tausi Mumena – Defense
3. Hadijah Nakabuye – Shooter
4. Joyce Nakibuule – Mid-Court
5. Christine Namulumba Kango – Shooter
6. Malisera Akello – Defense
7. Patience Damulira – Defense
8. Mary D. Asio – Shooter
9. Nashim Khadala – Mid-Court
10. Jellian Awino – Defense
11. Caroline Abalo – Defense
12. Evelyn Ayitasi – Defense
13. Joan Reykoboth – Mid-Court
14. Aisha Nakuya – Shooter
15. Sumaiya Z. Nathema – Mid-Court
The team camped at Nairobi West due to its proximity to the Ulinzi Sports Complex, ensuring easier movement, recovery, and proper match preparations throughout the tournament.
Behind the scenes, management ensured that all logistical, welfare, medical, technical, and administrative aspects were fully handled both on and off the court.
The Statement Victory Against NIC
The tournament quickly announced the arrival of a fearless Prisons side all the way from Luzira located in Kampala, Uganda.
Prisons began their campaign with a commanding 45-32 victory over IAAA Netball Club before battling to an exciting 39-39 draw against the Kenyan Defence Forces. Trailing for large parts of the game, the Queens staged a strong comeback to claim a well-earned stalemate.
One of the defining moments came during the group-stage clash against NIC Netball Club — a side that had dominated recent meetings between the two teams.
Prisons had not beaten NIC in three years.
The match carried emotion, pressure, and memories of painful previous defeats. Yet the Queens approached the contest with extraordinary confidence and maturity despite missing several experienced stars including Lillian Ajio, Sylvia Nanyonga, and Viola Asingo.
What followed was a statement performance
From the opening whistle, Prisons looked sharper, faster, and more aggressive. Their pressing game unsettled NIC while the smooth ball movement and disciplined defence frustrated the bankers throughout the contest.
The Queens stormed to a 15-9 first-quarter lead before maintaining composure under heavy pressure to carry a 22-19 halftime advantage.
As the match intensified, the prisoners refused to surrender control. They defended bravely, attacked with intelligence, and closed out a famous 45-41 victory.
Aisha Nakuya delivered one of her finest performances of the tournament with outstanding movement, creativity, calmness, and excellent distribution in attack.
Christine Namulumba Kango remained clinical in the shooting circle, while Joan Reykoboth controlled transitions with speed, intelligence, and endless energy.
Defensively, Carol Abalo, Malisera Akello, and Evelyn Ayitasi produced relentless pressure, interceptions, and crucial recoveries that kept NIC frustrated for long spells.
The victory sent a powerful warning across the championship.
Total Domination Against Red Perils
Later the same evening, the Queens returned to court and produced another breathtaking display, humiliating Kenya’s Red Perils 77-22.
It was total domination.
Prisons attacked with speed, defended aggressively, and moved the ball beautifully across the court as Red Perils struggled to cope with the intensity and quality of the Ugandan side.
Every player who stepped onto the court contributed positively as the Queens entertained the crowd with flowing netball, accurate shooting, quick interceptions, and outstanding teamwork.
The massive victory helped Prisons finish top of Pool A and confirmed them as serious contenders for the title.
Revenge Against KCCA
The semi-final against KCCA Netball Club carried painful memories.
A year earlier in Zanzibar, KCCA had heartbreakingly denied Prisons a place in the final with a narrow one-goal victory in the dying moments.
The memory remained fresh.
But Nairobi presented an opportunity for redemption.
The match started intensely, with KCCA narrowly taking the first quarter 10-9. However, the Queens gradually took control through disciplined defending, improved possession, and sharp attacking combinations.
By halftime, Prisons had edged ahead 22-21.
Then came a devastating third quarter.
The Queens exploded into life with dominant defending, smoother passing, and unstoppable attacks that stretched the lead to 35-28.
As the final quarter unfolded, Prisons looked unstoppable.
Every interception from Carol Abalo and Evelyn Ayitasi, every intelligent pass from Joan Reykoboth, and every clinical finish from Christine Namulumba Kango pushed the Queens closer to victory.
At the final whistle, the scoreboard read 48-37.
The revenge mission was complete.
The youthful Prisons side had stormed the final in style.
The Grand Finale
Awaiting them in the final was defending champion NIC Netball Club once again.
The final lived up to expectations.
NIC narrowly edged the first quarter 13-12 before maintaining a slim 22-21 halftime lead.
But champions are often defined by their response under pressure.
The Queens returned for the third quarter with renewed energy, determination, and belief. Their defence tightened, transitions became quicker, and the momentum shifted dramatically.
Prisons outplayed NIC in the third quarter to take a 34-31 advantage into the final period.
With the championship on the line, the Queens showed remarkable composure and maturity. They controlled possession intelligently, defended bravely, and finished clinically to secure a deserved 41-38 victory.
Christine Namulumba Kango once again rose to the occasion with accurate shooting and composure under pressure.
Aisha Nakuya orchestrated attacks brilliantly, while Joan Reykoboth and Nashim Khadala controlled the tempo in the Mid-Court through energetic movement and quick passing.
Defensively, Carol Abalo, Evelyn Ayitasi, and Stella Nanfuka delivered outstanding performances, intercepting, recovering, and tight-marking that frustrated NIC attackers in the decisive moments of the game.
The substitutes also played a critical role throughout the tournament. Nethema Zela Sumaiyah, Hadijah Nakabuye, Joyce Nakibuule, Malisera Akello, and Patience Damulira consistently brought energy, balance, and stability whenever called upon.
One of the memorable highlights after Uganda Prisons were crowned champions was the spirit of sportsmanship displayed during the celebrations, as they were joined by Kenya Prisons Service players and staff in jubilation. The moment reflected unity, respect, and mutual admiration between the two institutions, adding a special touch to an already historic triumph for the Prisons Queens.
Head Coach Hassan Kato Nouredine revealed that the biggest strengths behind the triumph were the balance and versatility within the squad, with priority given to players capable of performing in more than one position on the court. The coach explained that this flexibility helped the technical team adapt easily during matches throughout the demanding tournament.
Kato also disclosed that the mentality and determination of the players during preparations gave him a strong belief that the Queens were destined for something special in Nairobi. “Every time I looked into their eyes during training, I would see that they were into something special — winning the title and the tournament before them. That gave me a lot of confidence in my team,” said Kato.
Fresh from conquering East Africa, the Prisons Queens will now turn their attention to the Uganda National Netball Super League which resumes next month, with the coach confirming that more young talented players are expected to join the club as part of the ongoing rebuilding project aimed at sustaining success both locally and regionally.
