Uganda Women produced a composed all-round display to lift the 2026 Women’s T20 Quadrangular Series in Namibia, defeating hosts Namibia Women by 17 runs in the final at Windhoek. After being invited to bat first, Uganda overcame an early setback through a captain’s knock from Janet Mbabazi, whose Player of the Match-winning 61 anchored the innings beautifully. Valuable contributions from the middle order ensured Uganda finished with a competitive 146/3 in 20 overs, before their disciplined bowling attack restricted Namibia to 129/6, sealing the title in convincing fashion.
Uganda’s innings did not enjoy the ideal beginning as Stephani Nampina and skipper Janet Mbabazi cautiously negotiated the opening overs before accelerating. The pair added 62 runs for the opening wicket, laying the platform with sensible shot selection and timely boundaries. Nampina played an aggressive supporting role, striking 27 off just 16 deliveries, including five boundaries, before becoming the first wicket to fall at 62/1 in 7.3 overs when Green b Kejarukua. Uganda briefly lost momentum when Prosscovia Alako managed only 7 runs from 10 balls before she was trapped leg-before by Wilka Mwatile, leaving the visitors at 84/2 after 11.4 overs.
Despite the second wicket, Uganda never allowed Namibia to seize control thanks to another productive partnership. Captain Janet Mbabazi continued to dictate the innings with excellent placement and intelligent strike rotation. She found an able partner in Rita Musamali, and together they stitched a crucial 50-run stand for the third wicket, taking Uganda beyond the 130-run mark. Mbabazi’s superb innings eventually ended for 61 off 56 balls, featuring nine boundaries, when she was bowled by Wilka Mwatile at 104/3 in the 15.4th over. By then, however, the foundation had been firmly established. Musamali remained unbeaten on 31 from 27 deliveries, striking three fours, while Esther Iloku provided the perfect late flourish with an unbeaten 15 off just 11 balls, including two boundaries. Their unbroken 12-run fourth-wicket partnership guided Uganda to 146/3, with five extras boosting the total.
Namibia’s bowlers produced disciplined spells in patches but struggled to consistently contain Uganda’s experienced batting lineup. Wilka Mwatile was the standout performer, claiming 1/24 in four overs, dismissing the well-set Janet Mbabazi. Eveleen Kejarukua chipped in with 1/27, accounting for Stephani Nampina at a key stage. Victoria Hamunyela bowled economically, conceding 25 runs in four overs, while Jurriene Diergaardt returned figures of 0/32. Mekelaye Mwatile picked up one wicket for 23 runs from three overs, whereas Sylvia Shihepo had a difficult outing, conceding 14 runs in her solitary over.
Chasing 147 for victory, Namibia required a strong start but instead lost Merczerly Gorases for a brisk 27 off 23 balls, including five boundaries, with the score on 51 in 7.3 overs after she was stumped off Concy Aweko. Before that dismissal, Gorases and captain Sune Wittmann had shared a promising 51-run opening partnership, giving Namibia early hope. Wittmann held the innings together with a fighting 33 from 39 deliveries, hitting four boundaries, but Uganda’s bowlers gradually tightened the screws.
The chase suffered another setback when Mekelaye Mwatile was dismissed for 17 off 18 balls at 81/2 in 12.2 overs, caught after Malisa Ariokot struck. Ariokot continued her impressive spell by removing Wilka Mwatile for 3 and later Jurriene Diergaardt, who played an entertaining cameo of 16 from only 10 balls with three boundaries, reducing Namibia to 102/5 in 15.4 overs. Captain Sune Wittmann’s dismissal at 96/3 in 14.1 overs had already shifted the momentum firmly in Uganda’s favour, as she was caught by Mbabazi off Ariokot. Edelie van Zyl managed only 6 runs before becoming the sixth wicket at 120 in the final over, leaving too much work for the lower order. Kayleen Green remained unbeaten on 16 from 13 deliveries, while Sylvia Shihepo finished 2 not out, but their unbeaten 9-run partnership only reduced the margin of defeat as Namibia closed on 129/6 in 20 overs.
Uganda’s bowling attack delivered a disciplined collective performance throughout the chase. Concy Aweko was the standout bowler, producing match-winning figures of 3/20 in four overs, dismissing Merczerly Gorases, Mekelaye Mwatile and Edelie van Zyl. Malisa Ariokot complemented her brilliantly with 2/25 from four overs, removing the experienced Sune Wittmann and later striking twice more to derail Namibia’s middle order. Asumin Akurut claimed the wicket of Jurriene Diergaardt and finished with 1/21 in three overs, while Sarah Walaza set the tone by conceding just 19 runs from her four overs without taking a wicket. Fhiona Kulume bowled two overs for 18 runs, and Immaculate Nakisuuyi maintained pressure despite going wicketless, returning figures of 0/23 in three overs.
With a commanding batting performance led by Janet Mbabazi, followed by a disciplined bowling display spearheaded by Concy Aweko and Malisa Ariokot, Uganda Women secured a memorable 17-run victory over Namibia Women to be crowned Women’s T20 Quadrangular Series 2026 champions. The triumph highlighted Uganda’s balance with both bat and ball, while Namibia fought hard throughout the final but ultimately fell short against a well-rounded championship-winning performance.
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