On that began with a bit of rain and later developed to a moderately sunny Saturday afternoon, Uganda’s Women’s T20 League roared back to life with four side asserting dominance, thumping their opponents twice in the morning and evening.
Soroti City Cricket Club, Olila Cricket Club, Wanders Cricket Club and Mukono Development all began their campaigns in commanding fashion, each delivering comprehensive wins.
Soroti City CC makes a statement at Lugogo
- Soroti City CC: 107/6 in 20 overs (Achan Racheal 32, Anayo Christine 20, Timong Patricia 3/8)
- Pioneer CC: 77/8 in 20 overs (Nyesigire Mary 17, Kaijuka Florence 16, Natabo Penina 3/18)
- Soroti City CC won by 30 runs
Soroti City Cricket Club opened their campaign with a commanding 30-run win over Pioneer CC in the morning fixture held at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, in what proved to be a low-scoring but tactically thrilling contest.
Batting first, Soroti posted 107 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Racheal Achan, who ground out a patient 32 off 47 balls before being run out in the 18th over.
Skipper Christine Anayo added a crucial 20 from 24 deliveries to stabilize the middle order, while Everlyne Anyipo provided late momentum with an unbeaten 11 off just 7 balls.
Despite early breakthroughs by Pioneer’s bowlers most notably Penina Natabo, who returned impressive figures of 3/18, Soroti’s lower-middle order held firm to push the total past the 100-run mark.
Nakakande Agnes and Mukite Kevin also chipped in with a wicket apiece in a disciplined bowling display.
In reply, Pioneer CC’s chase stumbled from the outset. They lost Humairah Nakimbugwe for a duck in the very first over, setting a tone of unease that persisted throughout their innings.
Though Mary Nyesigire briefly lifted hopes with a 17-run cameo off 15 balls, wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
Timong Patricia starred with the ball for Soroti, claiming 3/8 in four miserly overs, while Everlyne Anyipo backed her up with 2 for 8 from her spell.
The pair ensured Pioneer never found the rhythm needed to chase the modest target, eventually restricting them to 77 for 8.
Sharp fielding and two run-outs further highlighted Soroti’s all-around discipline and focus.
In the afternoon, Soroti City CC delivered a ruthless reminder of their ambitions this season, steamrolling Pioneer Cricket Club by 10 wickets in a match that barely lasted the distance.
- Pioneer CC: 28/7 in 20 overs (Nyesigire Mary 12)
- Soroti City CC: 29/0 in 20 overs (Jimia Abdallah Muhammed 13, Timong Patricia 7)
- Soroti City CC won by 10 wickets
Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Soroti’s bowlers wasted no time asserting control.
Pioneer CC endured a nightmare outing with the bat, managing just 28 runs for 7 wickets in 20 overs, a scoreline that underscored their struggles against a disciplined and relentless Soroti bowling unit.
Only Mary Nyesigire showed resistance, carrying her bat for an unbeaten 12 off 53 balls, while the rest of the line-up crumbled.
Captain Naula Hasfa fell for just 1 run, and opener Florence Kaijuka managed a duck after facing eight balls. Five Pioneer batters failed to get off the mark.
Soroti’s bowlers were clinical. Mitchelle Aryago starred with 2 wickets for 4 runs in her 4 overs, while Everlyne Anyipoand Timong Patricia chipped in with a wicket apiece. The fielding was just as sharp, with three run-outs adding to Pioneer’s misery.
Chasing a modest 29, Soroti’s openers made light work of the task. Jimia Abdallah Muhammed (13) and Timong Patricia (7) guided their side to victory in just 4.1 overs, without losing a wicket.
With nine extras added to the total, the target was reached with 95 balls to spare, underlining Soroti’s complete control and intent for the season.
Olila CC overpowers JACC at GM Sugar Oval
- JACC: 43 all out in 20 overs (Mwanga Ruth 12*)
- Olila CC: 44/2 in 8 overs ( Lorna Anyait 18* | Lorna Anyait 3/1, Joan Ilora 15)
- Olila CC won by 8 wickets
Olila Cricket Club delivered a commanding performance in the morning clash, dismantling JACC by 8 wickets in a one-sided affair at the GM Sugar Oval.
JACC, after being sent in to bat, never found their footing and were bowled out for a paltry 43 runs in 20 overs. The collapse began early, with captain Prudence Lamara falling for a duck in the second over.
The top order crumbled under sustained pressure from Olila’s disciplined bowling attack, led by Lorna Anyait who returned sensational figures of 3/1 in 4 overs, including three maidens.
Only Ruth Mwanga offered any resistance with an unbeaten 12 off 44 balls, but a lack of support around her saw wickets tumble rapidly.
Immaculate Nandera and captain Asumin Akurut also chipped in with two wickets apiece, while three JACC batters were run out, reflecting the chaos in the middle.
Faced with a modest target of 44, Olila made quick work of the chase. Despite losing opener and skipper Akurut for a duck, and Ilora Joan for 15, Lorna Anyait (18 not out) and Malisa Ariokot (7 not out) calmly guided their side home in just 8 overs.
JACC’s bowlers had little room to make an impact, with Lamara picking up the only wicket via LBW and one run-out contributing to the brief resistance.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon , Olila Cricket Club delivered a similarly dominant performance, brushing aside JACC by 73 runs in a game that showcased their strength in all facets.
- Olila CC: 114/2 in 17 overs ( Lorna Anyait 37, Malisa Ariokot 30)
- JACC: 41/3 in 17 overs (Mwanga Ruth 20, Laruni Faith 10)
- Olila CC won by 73 runs
Batting first after winning the toss, Olila posted a commanding 114/2 in 17 overs. Despite losing opener Ilora Joan early for 7, captain Asumin Akurut steadied the innings with a fluent 29 from 28 balls.
But it was the unbeaten partnership between Lorna Anyait (37)* and Malisa Ariokot (30)* that lifted Olila to a defendable total.
JACC’s bowlers lacked penetration, managing only two wickets, one each to Lydia Mirembe and Patricia Kamatenesi. The rest of the attack struggled to contain Olila’s scoring, and 11 extras added further salt to the wound.
When it was their turn to bat, JACC found themselves in a familiar spiral.
Olila’s bowling attack, led by the electric Nyamer Devine Gabriella (4-2-5-3), dismantled the top order with precision and pace. Gabriella accounted for the first three wickets, including a golden duck for Akullu Mariam.
Olila’s bowlers showed no mercy. Anyait followed her batting performance with an economic spell of 4 overs for just 4 runs, while Aleto Martha and Immaculate Nandera turned the screws even tighter.
JACC could only manage 41 runs in 17 overs, with only Laruni Faith (10) and Mwanga Ruth (20) offering resistance.
The result was a crushing 73-run win for Olila CC, a performance that highlighted their balance, depth, and readiness for the season.
Wanderers CC dominate Tornado in Entebbe double header
- Wanderers CC: 26/2 in 5 Overs ( Naome Kayondo 14, Shadia Nabulime 5)
- Tornado CC: 12/8 in 5 Overs (Esther Ariokot 4)
- Wanderers won by 14 runs
Their day began under gloomy skies and ended in a storm of wickets. What was meant to be a standard T20 quickly turned into a frenetic 5-over contest due to early rain delays.
Wanderers, batting first, scrapped their way to 26/2, with captain Naome Kayondo Bagenda anchoring the innings with a gritty 14, a crucial knock in a low-scoring contest.
But it was in the field where Wanderers turned the tide. Tornado’s chase disintegrated almost instantly, collapsing to 12 all out with an astonishing five run-outs.
Leading the charge was Jolly Ichungu, whose sharp fielding and energy sparked the chaos. She also chipped in with a wicket, alongside Irene Mutoni and Sharifa Kakwenzi, who claimed two scalps.
Ichungu’s all-round brilliance earned her the Player of the Match, and Wanderers walked away with a dominant win in a match where chaos was the only constant.
By afternoon, the clouds cleared and so did any doubts about Wanderers’ dominance.
- Wanderers CC: 170/1 in 20 Overs ( Naome Kayondo 68, Mbwali Naome 48)
- Tornado CC: 26/10 in 13.3 Overs (Esther Ariokot 5)
- Wanderers won by 144 runs
Winning the toss and batting first, they shifted gears entirely, producing a batting masterclass.
Skipper Naome Kayondo Bagenda was again at the heart of it, this time with a composed and unbeaten 68. She found explosive support from Naome Mbwali, who smashed 48 and Gilingish Shadia Nabulime, who added a lively 21.
Tornado’s indiscipline in the field was reflected in 33 extras, as Wanderers surged to 170/1 in 20 overs.
Faced with a mountain, Tornado barely made it to base camp. Their innings never found momentum, and they were bundled out for 26 in just 13.3 overs, sealing a 144-run demolition for Wanderers.
Irene Mutoni, who bowled with precision and control, was named Player of the Match, capping off a dominant all-round day for her side.
For Mukono Development, they managed to attain a morning 2-wicket victory over Africa CC and complete a double later winning by 60 runs.
