UGANDA’S Victoria Pearls will have a title to defend and recent form to build on when they host Rwanda, Namibia and the United States at the 2026 Victoria Series in Entebbe next month.
The tournament runs from November 4 to 15 at Entebbe Cricket Oval, with the hosts arriving after winning the Capricorn Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series in Namibia in July. The four-team contest will also give Uganda valuable preparation for the 2027 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier finals.
Uganda beat hosts Capricorn Eagles by 17 runs in the final in Windhoek, posting 146 for three before restricting Namibia to 129 for six. Captain Janet Mbabazi led the batting with 61 off 56 balls, while Consylate Aweko took three wickets for 20 runs.
The campaign was not without setbacks. Uganda’s group match against Namibia ended in a tie at 123, with the Capricorn Eagles winning the Super Over. The two sides met again in the final, where Uganda held their nerve to take the trophy. The Victoria Pearls also recorded two wins over Hong Kong and a victory over Tanzania during the competition.
That mix of success and close contests will be useful in Entebbe, where Namibia will again be among Uganda’s main challengers. Rwanda will have a chance to measure themselves against established regional opposition, while the USA bring a different test for the hosts.
The Victoria Pearls won the 2025 edition in Kampala by sweeping Canada 5-0 in a bilateral series played from October 20 to 26 at Lugogo Cricket Oval. The clean sweep gave Uganda a convincing home record to protect, with Immaculate Nakisuyi named Player of the Series.
Uganda have also had recent success against the USA. At the inaugural Easter Women’s T20 Cup in Entebbe in April, the Victoria Pearls edged the Americans by one run in their first meeting, defending 103 for five, before winning their final encounter by 11 runs after scoring 101 for five.
Those narrow margins underline the challenge facing Uganda. Namibia have already shown they can take the hosts deep into a contest, while the USA have proved difficult to put away. Rwanda’s presence adds another regional opponent seeking the experience that regular international cricket can provide.
For the Victoria Pearls, playing at Entebbe offers familiarity, but it does not guarantee another title. They will need consistent performances across the round-robin stage before the playoff and final on November 14.
The Victoria Series comes at an important point in Uganda’s preparation for the 2027 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier finals. Matches against Namibia and Rwanda will keep the team engaged with regional competition, while the USA fixtures will offer another style of opposition before the qualification campaign.
For women’s cricket in Africa, such tournaments provide opportunities for players to gain international experience on the continent. They also give teams a chance to assess their combinations and address weaknesses before a major qualifying event.
Uganda’s recent results have put the Victoria Pearls in a position to test themselves against familiar rivals at home. Namibia’s performances in Windhoek showed how little separates the sides, and the coming series will offer another measure of their progress.
Cricket Uganda honorary secretary Denis Musali said hosting the tournament reflected the country’s commitment to developing the women’s game and improving the national side through stronger competition.
“Hosting high-calibre tournaments like the Victoria Series is a testament to our continuous commitment to expanding the women’s game and providing our Victoria Pearls with the elite competitive exposure they need on home soil,” he said.
“Events of this magnitude not only showcase the rapid growth of cricket across the continent but also offer our fans a chance to witness world-class athletic talent right here in Entebbe.”
Uganda open their campaign against Namibia on November 6, the first day of matches, while Rwanda face the USA. The four teams will play a round-robin programme, with the third- and fourth-placed sides meeting in a playoff on November 14 before the top two contest the final. Teams are scheduled to arrive on November 4, with training on November 5.
The Victoria Pearls will begin their title defence against a Namibia side that pushed them to a Super Over in the group stage in July. For Uganda, the opening match offers an immediate test of whether they can carry their winning form from Windhoek into a home tournament where expectations will be high.
