The Uganda Lady Volleyball Cranes have been officially flagged off by the National Council of Sports (NCS) ahead of their participation in the 2026 CAVB Women’s Nations Championship, scheduled for August 23 to September 5 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The team received the national flag from NCS Assistant General Secretary – Technical, Milton Chebet, who urged the players and technical team to represent Uganda with pride and raise the national flag high at the continental championship.
Uganda secured qualification for the continental showpiece after winning the CAVB Zone V Qualifiers, which were hosted in Kampala in June.
Head coach Protus Barasa Soita believes the team has had adequate preparation and is ready to compete against some of Africa’s best volleyball nations.
“We have tried to prepare adequately for the tournament. We have had enough time and I can say the team is ready for the challenge,” Soita said.
The Lady Volleyball Cranes will be captained by Catherine Ainembabazi, who was part of the last Ugandan team to compete at this level in 2023.
Uganda finished eighth at the previous championship, and Ainembabazi believes the team has the quality and preparation to improve on that performance.
“We expect a tougher challenge compared to what we faced in the qualifiers, but we have had enough time to train and I believe we can get a good position,” Ainembabazi said.
Soita has selected a 14-player squad that combines experience with emerging talent, with several players returning to the continental stage.
Experienced campaigners Joan Tushemereirwe, Moreen Mwamula, Scovia Frances Alungat, Jeniffer Alungat and Catherine Ainembabazi bring valuable international experience that will be crucial during the tournament.
The squad also features a number of promising young players, including Claire Najjuuko, Ketty Aluka, Lisa Nakitto, Jemimah Lillian Lamaro, Holiver Achn, Christine Asekenye and Shamirah Kalanzi, who represent the next generation of Ugandan volleyball talent.
The blend of experience and emerging talent is expected to give Uganda a competitive squad as the Lady Volleyball Cranes target a strong finish in Nairobi.
The team is scheduled to depart for Nairobi on Friday evening, ahead of the championship, which gets underway on Sunday, August 23.
LADY VOLLEYBALL CRANES SQUAD
Catherine Ainembabazi (Captain), Hadijah Acelun, Hadijah Otin, Holiver Acn, Ketty Aluka, Joan Tushemereirwe, Christine Asekenye, Claire Najjuuko, Lisa Nakitto, Shamirah Kalanzi, Jemimah Lillian Lamaro, Moreen Mwamula, Jeniffer Alungat, Scovia Frances Alungat
TEAM OFFICIALS
Protus Barasa Soita (Head Coach), Edward Bwenje (Assistant Coach), Nicholas Obeke (Trainer), Eliot Muramuzi (Physiotherapist), Stamil Kanyago Abdallah (International Referee), Tonny Pete Lakony (Head of Delegation), Proscovia Rahmah Namuleme (Team Manager)
