She Cranes open Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign against Wales

By Emmanuel Sekago

The Uganda National Netball Team, the She Cranes, will get their XXIII Commonwealth Games campaign underway on Saturday at 4pm when they face the Welsh Feathers at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland, determined to make a winning start in Pool B.

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games officially got underway on Thursday, July 23, with a colourful opening ceremony, while the netball competition runs from July 25 to August 2 at the OVO Hydro Arena. Uganda heads into the tournament aiming to improve on its impressive fifth-place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Saturday’s encounter will mark only the second Commonwealth Games meeting between Uganda and Wales since the She Cranes made their Games debut at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.

The two sides first met on April 10, 2018, when Uganda announced itself on the Commonwealth stage with a commanding 76-40 victory over Wales, one of the most memorable results in the country’s netball history.

Of the current She Cranes squad, captain Rachael Nanyonga is the only player who featured in that famous victory and is expected to make her second appearance against Wales at the Commonwealth Games.

Former She Cranes star Ruth Meeme, who also played in that 2018 victory, returns to the Games in a different capacity as a member of the team’s technical bench, bringing valuable experience to head coach Rashid Mubiru’s side.

The rest of the current squad will be facing Wales at the Commonwealth Games for the very first time.

Uganda has travelled to Glasgow with a balanced squad blending experienced campaigners and exciting newcomers.

Six players are making their second Commonwealth Games appearance: Mary Nuba Cholhok, Shadia Nassanga, Margaret Bagaala, Shaffie Nalwanjja, Hanisha Muhameed Nakate, and captain Rachael Nanyonga.

The remaining six players will be making their Commonwealth Games debuts: Winnie Alice Isoto, Joan Ryekoboth, Lillian Achola, Mercy Batamuliza, Gloria Ayaa, and defender Nassim Mutesi, whose return to the national team after nearly two years away from competitive action has been one of the biggest talking points ahead of the tournament.

Uganda’s blend of youth and experience mirrors that of their opening opponents.

The Welsh Feathers have selected a squad that combines seasoned internationals with emerging talent from Wales Netball’s development pathway.

Among their experienced players are Bethan Dyke, who brings significant Commonwealth Games experience, and prolific shooter Georgia Rowe, who has consistently impressed at both domestic and international level.

Speaking after naming her final squad, Team Wales Netball Head Coach Emily Handyside said the team was eager to compete on one of the biggest sporting stages.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for everyone involved in Wales Netball. Every athlete selected has earned their place, and we know what this moment will mean to them, their families, clubs and communities.

“The group reflects the dedication, resilience and talent we have within our programme. We have a squad that blends experience with youth, and we are looking forward to seeing them represent Wales on one of the biggest stages in sport.”

With only one place separating the two nations in the latest World Netball rankings—Uganda ranked 6th and Wales 7th—Saturday’s clash is expected to be one of the most closely contested matches of the opening round.

Head coach Rashid Mubiru will be hoping his side can once again assert their dominance over Wales and lay down an early marker in what promises to be a fiercely competitive Pool B.

Uganda has been drawn alongside New Zealand, Jamaica, Wales, hosts Scotland, and Trinidad & Tobago, with pool matches scheduled from July 25 to July 30 before the classification and medal matches conclude the netball competition.

A positive result against Wales would provide the She Cranes with the perfect platform as they pursue another strong Commonwealth Games campaign and seek to surpass their historic fifth-place finish achieved in Birmingham four years ago.