KAMPALA – The Victoria Pearls have officially named their 14-player squad alongside two reserves for the upcoming 2026 Victoria Series Tournament at the Entebbe Cricket Oval.
The tournament will bowl off from November 6 to November 14, 2026 and will feature regional neighbours Rwanda, nemeses Namibia and the USA.
Photo by: Pankaj Nangia / CREIMAS
Headlined by all-rounder Janet Mbabazi, who retains the captaincy, the squad blends seasoned campaigners as Uganda prepares for high-intensity home competition.
Naume Amongin and Kevin Awino return to the fold after missing out on the Capricorn Series.
Australian-based 23-year-old right-handed batter Kampi Nainhabo is in line for her international debut, having developed through the Victorian domestic pathway.
She brings experience from the South East Bayside Breakers, Cricket Victoria Female High Performance Academy, and Melbourne Cricket Club.
The trio replace Phiona Egaru Kulume, Jimia Abdallah Muhammed, and Irene Mutonyi, who travelled with the team to Windhoek in July earlier this year.
The Victoria Pearls seek to defend the Victoria Series title after a clean 5-0 sweep, defeating the Canada Women’s National Team in a five-match bilateral stretch from October 20 to October 26, 2025.
Earlier this year, the Victoria Pearls also faced off against the U.S. women’s national cricket team during the inaugural Easter Women’s T20 Cup in April 2026 at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe.
Uganda opened with a victory, as Victoria Pearls posted 103/5 and held the USA to 102/8 to win a nail-biter by 1 run before closing out the competition with an 11-run victory over the USA (101/5 to 90 all out) to finish the series unbeaten.
The Victoria Series is part of the build-up to the 2027 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier finals, pitching them directly against familiar opponents.
Selected Squad:
- Janet Mbabazi (C)
- Stephanie Nampiina
- Proscovia Alako
- Ritah Musamali
- Esther Iloku
- Immaculate Nakisuyi
- Kevin Awino
- Malisa Ariokot
- Sarah Walaza
- Naume Amongin
- Consylate Aweko Nimungu
- Sarah Akiteng
- Asumin Akurut
- Kampi Nainhabo
Reserves: 15. Phiona Egaru Kulume 16. Lorna Anyait
Head Coach Deus Muhumuza’s Remarks
“The win in Namibia at the Capricorn Series final gave us great belief, but our focus is now on the Victoria Series. USA, Rwanda and Namibia are strong teams and will challenge us. The team is well prepared, and for us, success will be executing our plans consistently and playing fearless cricket in front of our home fans.”
Photo by: Sameer G. Bhalekar / CREIMAS
Janet Mbabazi’s Remarks
“We are excited to host the 3 teams in the Victoria series. As an athlete, you always want to play competitive games, so we are excited to have some good competition coming up. Also, being able to host 3 nations in this tournament shows just how much women’s cricket is growing globally.
“For us, the success we had in the Capricorn series in Namibia is a huge confidence booster because it shows how much we have improved and grown as a team. Everyone is focused and ready to compete.
“Namibia is definitely a tough opposition; they beat us 2 times in the group stage in the Capricorn series. We played USA earlier this year, and Rwanda last year; they bring more energy, and they all bring something unique to the competition. So we know what to expect.”
Kampi Nainhabo’s Remarks
“I am extremely excited to have been selected to be part of the team. I think it’s an amazing opportunity.
“I think I’m hoping to bring my positive attitude and just my spirit and love for the game to the team. I’m really excited to see how the girls work on the field and how they work together, and just become a part of that space and mesh with the girls.
“The sessions have been very difficult so far, which has been a nice and positive challenge, but the girls have all been very supportive and they’ve been good at helping me get used to the training and the intensity, and I can’t wait to bring that with me onto the field.“
Debutant Player Profile: Kampi Nainhabo
Name: Kampi Nainhabo
Age and Role: 23-year-old right-handed Batting All-rounder.
Background: Ugandan-born player based in Australia.
Pathway & Development: Developed through the Australian domestic pathway, representing the South East Bayside Breakers, featuring in Cricket Victoria Female High Performance Academy training squads, and playing premier club cricket for the Melbourne Cricket Club (including standout performances in Kookaburra Women’s Premier Cricket matches).
International Career: Named as a debutant on Thursday, 29th October 2026, in the Victoria Pearls 16-player squad for the home Victoria Series at the Entebbe Cricket Oval.
2026 Victoria Series Match Schedule:
| Date | Session / Time | Match / Activity Schedule |
| 04/11/2026 | — | Team Arrival |
| 05/11/2026 | — | Official Training at Entebbe Oval |
| 06/11/2026 | Morning (9:30 AM) Afternoon (2:00 PM) | Uganda vs. Namibia Rwanda vs. USA |
| 07/11/2026 | Morning Afternoon | Namibia vs. USA Uganda vs. Rwanda |
| 08/11/2026 | Morning Afternoon | Namibia vs. Rwanda Uganda vs. USA |
| 09/11/2026 | — | Rest Day |
| 10/11/2026 | Morning Afternoon | Rwanda vs. USA Uganda vs. Namibia |
| 11/11/2026 | Morning Afternoon | Uganda vs. Rwanda Namibia vs. USA |
| 12/11/2026 | Morning Afternoon | Uganda vs. USA Namibia vs. Rwanda |
| 13/11/2026 | — | Rest Day |
| 14/11/2026 | Morning Afternoon | 3rd vs. 4th Playoff Final (1st vs. 2nd) |
| 15/11/2026 | — | Team Departure |