When the final whistle went at the 2025 Celtic Cup in Scotland, the She Cranes celebrated a turning point.
Uganda arrived ranked seventh, having slipped from sixth due to limited international action, but the mission in Scotland was simple, prove they belonged among the world’s best.
They did exactly that. Uganda swept past several nations, including hosts Scotland and defending champions Wales.
Days later, the new World Netball Rankings confirmed it, Uganda had climbed into the world’s top six, joining Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, England, and South Africa.
The reward was an automatic qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, therefore She Cranes are going to the World Cup by right, not through qualifiers.
The She Cranes returned to Entebbe on December 1 to cheers from family, friends, and fans.
But the celebrations were brief. With the Africa Netball Championship set for December 8–14 in Lilongwe, Malawi, the team quickly shifted to preparation mode.
This year’s African Championship won’t determine World Cup slots on Uganda’s end, but it will be crucial ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Uganda now approaches such tournaments not as hopefuls, but as contenders.
In Lilongwe, they face a tough Pool A with Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, a perfect test for sharpening combinations and building momentum for the year ahead.
The road only gets tougher. At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Uganda has been drawn in Pool B alongside netball giants New Zealand (ranked #2) and Jamaica (ranked #3).
For the She Cranes like it has always been, competing with the world’s elite will demand discipline, tactical growth, and the same belief that carried them through the Celtic Cup.
But with a World Cup place already secured, Uganda has room to plan long-term, build depth, and strengthen structures around the team which has been a challenge of late because of the leadership issues that have happened in the previous years.
For years, Ugandan netball has battled limited funding despite wide exposure, and inadequate facilities. This rise forces the world to pay attention.
More importantly, it gives young Ugandan girls like Gloria Ayaa, a reason to dream about global competition and sporting careers.
If the She Cranes shine in Sydney 2027, it wouldn’t be a suprise but the impact could continue to reshape the perception of women’s sport across the country.
With the Africa Championship and Commonwealth Games on the horizon, the She Cranes have a chance to improve on the skill set.
