As Uganda prepares for the 22nd Uganda International Badminton Challenge, Badminton Uganda CEO Simon Mugabi says the country’s recent progress is the result of deliberate effort, not luck.
Speaking at the launch held at the Mandela Group of Companies’ head offices on Sixth Street in Industrial Area, Kampala, Mugabi reflected on how far the sport has come.
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“Before hosting events like this, we were playing at a very low level. Now our players are competing on the international stage and featuring in world championships,” he said.
A former national coach, Mugabi credits the growth to consistent exposure through international tournaments hosted in Uganda.
“When top international players come here, our athletes gain experience and confidence. That exposure has raised our standards,” he added.
Uganda now hosts five international badminton tournaments each year, with the Uganda International Challenge remaining the flagship event on the calendar.
The 2026 edition, set for February 18, has attracted players from 41 countries, all chasing crucial ranking points.
A total of 4,000 points will be at stake as athletes begin their push toward qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Finland’s world number 48, Oldorf Joakim, is the highest-ranked player expected in the men’s singles draw.
Uganda will field the largest team, with 59 players entered across categories. Among them is Fadillah Shamika Rafi, who has secured a direct slot in the main draw, a clear sign of the host nation’s growing confidence and depth.
