Kigali, Rwanda | June 14, 2025 – The Victoria Pearls of Uganda bounced back in style to clinch bronze at the 11th Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament, defeating hosts Rwanda by 20 runs in a spirited third-place playoff at the Gahanga B Oval. The win was a fitting response to their heartbreaking one-run semifinal loss to Zimbabwe HPC just 24 hours earlier.
Match Summary – 3rd Place Playoff
- Uganda: 107/5 in 20 overs
- Rwanda: 87/7 in 20 overs
- Result: Uganda won by 20 runs
- Player of the Match: Sarah Tino – 3/20 in 4 overs (first match honours in debut tournament)
- Best Fielder: Rita Musamali with 9 fielding dismissals (6 catches, 3 run outs)
Rwanda won the toss and opted to bowl first on a slow surface, hoping to restrict Uganda early. The Victoria Pearls made one change, fielding tournament debutante Sarah Tino in place of Sarah Akiteng.
Uganda's start was cautious, with captain Janet Mbabazi dismissed in the fourth over. By the end of the powerplay, Uganda were 22/1. A stabilizing stand between Esther Iloku (23 off 35) and Immaculate Nakisuyi (29 off 31) ensured a platform was built, taking the score to 48/1 at the halfway mark.
The innings wobbled slightly after Musamali was run out for 2 and Nakisuyi fell shortly after at 68 for 3. But Stephanie Nampiina's composed 21 off 14 balls and Proscovia Alako’s 16 off 17 in the death overs lifted Uganda to a competitive 107/5 in 20 overs.
With memories still fresh of a failed defense of 119 against Rwanda in the group stages, Uganda’s bowlers approached the task with renewed intent. Kevin Amuge was miserly up front, conceding just one run in her opening over and striking in her second to remove Rwanda’s opener Merveille Uwase.
At 45/1 after 10 overs, Rwanda looked on track. But debutant Sarah Tino changed the game, trapping home captain Diane Bimenyimana (21 off 40) LBW with her very first delivery. Her spell of 3/20, combined with tight overs from Mbabazi (2 wickets), stifled Rwanda's chase completely.
Uganda’s fielders backed the bowlers with energy and precision, and Rwanda were ultimately restricted to 87/7 with Clarisse Umutoniwase (29 off 25) top scoring as the hosts fell short by 20 runs.
Post-Match Reflection
“It was very hard for us to lift our spirits. A third-place match isn’t always easy to play because it feels like there’s nothing to fight for,” said Stephanie Nampiina. “But we’ve learned a lot here. We’ll go back, work on the areas we need to fix, and focus on the August qualifiers.”
Uganda finishes the tournament third overall, in what was a rollercoaster week in Kigali. Tanzania were crowned champions for the third time after earlier triumphs in 2019 and 2022.
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