Rita Musamali capped a standout tournament by winning Best Fielder with nine dismissals, six catches and three run outs as Uganda’s Victoria Pearls dug deep to secure bronze at the 11th Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament.
The Pearls wrapped up their campaign with a 20-run win over hosts Rwanda in the third-place playoff at the Gahanga B Oval, just a day after suffering a heartbreaking one-run loss to Zimbabwe HPC in the semifinals, a result that ended their title defense.
Uganda started the tournament strong, winning five of their seven round-robin games and finishing second behind Rwanda. But back-to-back defeats, first to Nigeria then Rwanda, both in the group, then to Zimbabwe in the semis, threatened to undo their early momentum.
In the third-place playoff, Rwanda chose to bowl first on a slow track. Uganda made one change, handing exclusive responsibility to youngster Sarah Tino, who would go on to have a game to remember.
After skipper Janet Mbabazi fell early, Esther Iloku (23) and Immaculate Nakisuyi (29) steadied the innings. Cameos from Stephanie Nampiina (21) and Proscovia Alako (16) pushed Uganda to 107/5.
Rwanda had chased down 119 in the group stages, but this time, Uganda’s bowlers were up for the fight. Kevin Amuge bowled tight early, and debutant Tino struck with her first ball, trapping Rwanda captain Diane Bimenyimana LBW. She finished with 3/20.
Musamali, as she had all tournament, brought energy in the field, helping Uganda cut off runs and apply pressure. Mbabazi picked up two wickets, and Rwanda were held to 87/7.
“We had to dig deep,” said Nampiina after the game. “It’s hard to play for third when you’ve just lost a semifinal, but we came out with purpose. Now we focus on what’s next.”
Tanzania went on to win the tournament, claiming their third Kwibuka crown. But for Uganda, the bronze was just a medal.
All Honours
- Winner: Tanzania
- 1st Runner Up: Zimbabwe HPC
- 2nd Runner Up: Uganda
Individual Accolades
- MVP: Henriette Ishimwe
- Best Bowler: Henriette Ishimwe
- Best Batter: Neema Pius
- Best Fielder: Rita Musamali
With qualifiers around the corner, the Victoria Pearls return home with mixed feelings, battle-tested, with batting improvement and hopes that they can revisit all the strategies and get ready for the next challenge.
