Mya Wasswa’s wide smile says it all, she’s home, she’s proud, and she’s ready to wear Uganda’s colors on one of Africa’s biggest stages.
The shooting guard, who plays for the Coker Cobras in the United States, has been named to the Uganda Women’s National Basketball Team, the Gazelles, and is set to make her debut at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Ivory Coast.
“It feels good to be back home,” Wasswa said during a workout at YMCA Court in Wandegeya. “And it feels even better to finally play for the national team.”
Daughter of Denise and Steve Wasswa, Mya brings energy and versatility to the backcourt. She joins a group that includes fellow shooting guards Perus Nyamwenge and Tracy Namugosa Tracy, adding depth to a team gearing up for the tournament that tips off on July 26.
“I’m super excited to play with them,” she said. “It’s my first time, so I just want to take everything in, be a sponge, and learn.”
Though new to the Gazelles, she’s no rookie. Her experience in the U.S. college system has shaped her into a steady, reliable guard.
“I’m a utility player,” she said. “I can score, rebound, defend whatever the team needs.”
The Gazelles have been preparing in Alexandria, Egypt, where they lost to Egypt and Rwanda but bounced back with a win over Cameroon. Mya, along with fellow returnee Claire Lamunu and Paige Robinson, are expected to join the squad soon.
Even before joining the team physically, she already feels part of the group.
“I’ve talked to some of the girls. They’ve been really welcoming,” she said. “I can’t wait to see them and build chemistry.”
Mya’s debut is more than a personal milestone, it’s a connection between homegrown talent and the global Ugandan diaspora. And her mindset heading into it?
“I’m here. I’m ready. I’m all in.”
