For Naomi Kayondo Bagenda, cricket has been home for 23 years. On Saturday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, the celebrated batter, captain, and pioneer will play her final innings, closing a career that helped shape Ugandan women’s cricket.
Her journey began in 2002 as a Senior One student at King’s College Budo. Within months, she was named “Youngest Player” at the inaugural Girls Schools Cricket Week, and at just 12, she made her national team debut, a record that still stands.
From there, Kayondo’s rise was steady. She became a mainstay for Uganda, leading the Victoria Pearls at regional qualifiers and collecting individual honors at home.
In 2017, she was part of the team that stunned Africa by beating Zimbabwe to win the continental championship.
Cricket also took her abroad. In 2018, she played in England, tested herself in men’s leagues, and even toured Lord’s. Along the way, she gathered lessons she now values most.
“Cricket teaches you resilience, teamwork, and even how to lose with dignity,” she says.
At 35, Kayondo is retiring from playing but not from the game. She has already tried her hand at commentary, earned ICC coaching and management certifications, and plans to nurture the next generation of players.
“It’s emotional,” she admits.
“For 23 years, Saturdays meant waking up and going to the cricket ground. Now it will be different. But I’m not leaving cricket, I’m giving back to it.”
Even in her final season, she signed off as Best Batter in the 2025 Women’s T20 League. On Saturday, the cricket fraternity will gather to honor a career built on passion, resilience, and teamwork and to welcome Naomi Kayondo into her new chapter in the game.
Full career story – on Monday September 12.
