St. Mary’s Kitende’s Joan Ryekoboth earns Maiden She Cranes Call-Up for 2026 Commonwealth Games

By Emmanuel Sekago

St. Mary’s -Kitende student Joan Ryekoboth has earned a place in Uganda’s final She Cranes squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, marking a major milestone in her young netball career.

Ryekoboth will make her first-ever Commonwealth Games appearance, alongside Lillian Achola, Gloria Ayaa, Winnie Alice Isoto and Nasim Mutesi, who all ply their trade for National Insurance Corporation (NIC) Netball Club.

The five players are among the new faces selected for the prestigious multi-sport event as Uganda looks to challenge the world’s top netball nations.

Meanwhile, She Cranes captain Racheal Nanyonga returns to the Commonwealth Games after representing Uganda at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, having missed the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

One of the biggest talking points in the final squad is the surprise of defender Nasim Mutesi, who rejoins the national team after spending nearly two years away from competitive action.

The final 12-player She Cranes squad was unveiled on Saturday during a press conference held at the Netball Uganda offices in Lugogo, where Netball Uganda President Jocelyn Ucanda announced the players who will represent Uganda at the Glasgow Games.

The announcement concluded a rigorous two-month selection exercise that began with more than 20 players before the squad was reduced to 15 following a high-performance training camp and trial matches in South Africa.

Among the biggest casualties of the final selection were Christine Nakito (KCCA), Hindu Namutebi (Police) and Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), all of whom travelled with the team to South Africa but failed to make the final travelling squad.

The omissions completed what has been described as one of the toughest selection processes in recent years.

Earlier in the preparations, experienced internationals Faridah Kadondi, Christine Namulumba Kango and Brenda Nakazibwe were also dropped before the team travelled to South Africa.

Ironically, Faridah Kadondi, Christine Nakito and Stella Nanfuka were among Uganda’s outstanding performers during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham but will not feature in Glasgow.

Speaking during the squad announcement, Netball Uganda President Jocelyn Ucanda expressed confidence in the team selected to represent the country.

“We have been preparing for two months and we are ready for a big show. We went to South Africa for trial games and out of the 15 players, three have now been dropped,” Ucanda said.

“It’s an exciting moment. We started with over 20 players, trimmed the squad to 15 and now we have our final 12. The Government of Uganda has fully funded the team’s air tickets, accommodation, feeding and playing kit,” she added.

The She Cranes have are drawn into a difficult Group B, where they will face New Zealand, Jamaica, Wales, hosts Scotland and Trinidad and Tobago.

Uganda is scheduled to depart for Scotland on Tuesday, July 22, ahead of the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 23.

The team will hold a light training session on July 24 before beginning its Commonwealth Games campaign on July 25.

For Joan Ryekoboth, the selection is a remarkable achievement and another testament to St. Mary’s Kitende’s continued production of elite netball talent. The young star now has an opportunity to showcase her ability on one of the biggest stages in international sport as Uganda seeks another memorable Commonwealth Games campaign.

She Cranes 2026 Commonwealth Games Squad

Shooters: –Mary Nuba, Shadia Nassanga, Racheal Nanyonga (Captain) and Winnie Alice Isoto

Midcourt: –Margret Bagaala, Joan Ryekoboth, Lillian Achola and Mercy Bamutariza

Defenders: –Shafie Nalwanjja (Vice-captain), Gloria Ayaa, Hanisha Muhammad and Nasim Mutesi