Uganda U19 Women (Baby Victoria Pearls) delivered a clinical display of cricket throughout the 2026 High Performance Women’s Series, securing an unbeaten 4-0 clean sweep in the T20s against Rwanda U19 at the Entebbe Cricket Ground.

HANDING OVER GREATNESS: Head of High Performance Okia Richard hands over the trophy to the Baby Victoria Pearls after their 4-0 series victory

The Baby Victoria Pearls controlled the narrative across three days of competitive T20 action before both teams wrapped up the tour with an extended 40-over practice fixture aimed at building technical depth and match fitness for future continental assignments.

T20s Dominance: A Perfect 4-0 Record

Uganda set the standard from day one, combining disciplined bowling with gritty batting to sweep all four official series encounters:

  • Match 1 (July 24): Uganda laid down an early marker by defending a total of 92/8. A suffocating bowling effort skittled Rwanda out for just 47 in 16.4 overs, securing an emphatic 45-run victory.
  • Match 2 (July 25): The hosts posted their highest total of the T20 leg (111/5) before dismantling the Rwandan lineup for 48 runs in 14.4 overs to seal a commanding 63-run win.
  • Match 3 (July 26): In the tightest contest of the series, Uganda posted 109/6 and held their composure during a tense finish, holding Rwanda to 104/6 to edge out a 5-run victory.
  • Match 4 (July 26): Demonstrating their ability to win while chasing, Uganda restricted Rwanda to 85 all out and overcame middle-order hiccups to reach 86/7 in 19.3 overs for a 3-wicket triumph.
MID-GAME REFRESHMENT: Assistant Coach Kevin Awino hands out water and quick tactical pointers to the Baby Victoria Pearls players during their 40-over encounter

40-Over Practice Match

Rwanda U19 W: 190/9 in 40.0 Overs (Fanny Utagushimaninde 110; Tino Sarah 4/31)

Uganda U19 W: 158/10 in 37.2 Overs (Mary Namiiro 66, Ilora Joan 32; Sonia Umuringa 3/16, Grace Mugwaneza 3/23)

Result: Rwanda U19 W won by 32 runs

Following the conclusion of the T20s, both teams faced off in a 40-over practice fixture to test endurance, middle-overs management, and tactical flexibility.

Utagushimaninde’s ton sets the target

Eager to bounce back, Rwanda opted to bat first after winning the toss. Opener Fanny Utagushimaninde anchored the innings with a brilliant knock of 110 runs from 119 deliveries, striking seven boundaries.

A HISTORIC MILESTONE: Rwanda U19’s Fanny Utagushimaninde raises her bat and helmet to celebrate a magnificent century (110 runs off 119 balls, 7x4s) against the Baby Victoria Pearls

Despite wickets falling around her, Utagushimaninde paced her innings smartly to push Rwanda to a formidable 190/9 in their allotted 40 overs.

Uganda’s off-spinner Tino Sarah was the standout bowler once again, delivering a disciplined spell of 4 for 31 in 8 overs to restrict Rwanda from accelerating further in the death overs.

HIGH STAKES ACTION: On-field action between Rwanda U19W (190/9) and Uganda U19W (158/10) during the final 40-over fixture of the 2026 High Performance Women’s Series

Devine Gabriella Nyamer (1/23 in 7 overs) and Mischelle Ariago (1/20 in 5 overs) provided solid support to keep the run rate in check.

PRE-MATCH BRAINSTORM: Assistant Coach Kevin Awino, Head Coach Ivan Kakande, and High Performance Manager Jeff Mwesigwa share a quick chat ahead of the final 40-over encounter at Entebbe Cricket Oval, following an undefeated 4-0 T20 series sweep

Namiiro and Ilora rebuild before late collapse

Chasing 191, Uganda stumbled early as Rwandan pacer Lina Ikuzwe struck twice in her opening overs, leaving the hosts reeling at 6/2 inside three overs.

Mary Namiiro and Ilora Joan then orchestrated a resilient 84-run third-wicket partnership. Ilora played as the aggressor, scoring 32 off 38 balls before being bowled by Rwanda captain Grace Mugwaneza.

TACTICAL HUDDLE: Rwanda U19 Women regroup on the field as they map out their strategy against Uganda while setting a target of 190/9 in 40 overs

Namiiro continued her steady accumulation, reaching a well-crafted 66 off 91 balls with four boundaries to keep Uganda on track.

However, Mugwaneza’s re-entry into the attack turned the game. Trapping Namiiro lbw for 66 and removing the middle order, Mugwaneza finished with figures of 3 for 23.

SCORING ON THE EDGE: Baby Victoria Pearls’ Mischelle Ariago (12 runs off 22 balls, 1/20) races to make her crease during the contest against Rwanda U19 at Entebbe Cricket Oval

Sonia Umuringa then cleaned up the lower order with a sharp spell of 3 for 16.

Uganda lost their final four wickets for just six runs, collapsing from 152/6 to 158 all out in 37.2 overs to hand Rwanda a 32-run win in the friendly encounter.

SPIRIT OF CRICKET: Baby Victoria Pearls Team Manager Shakirah Saddick and Rwanda U19 Team Manager Gloria Bageni exchange mementos at the end of the 5-match tour in Entebbe

Individual Accolades & Series MVP

The post-series closing ceremony celebrated outstanding individual performances, with Uganda taking two of the three main individual awards:

  • Most Valuable Player (MVP): Tino Sarah (Uganda) earned the top honour, finishing with 246 points.
  • Best Bowler: Mukite Asha (Uganda) received the Best Bowler award after leading the tournament overall with 8 wickets, constantly breaking opening stands and setting up pressure.
  • Best Batter: Fanny Utagushimaninde (Rwanda) was named Best Batter, finishing top of the runs chart in the league phase with 84 runs.

Series Summary at a Glance

Official T20 Series Results

Game 1: Uganda U19 W won by 45 runs

Game 2: Uganda U19 W won by 63 runs

Game 3: Uganda U19 W won by 5 runs

Game 4: Uganda U19 W won by 3 wickets (Uganda wins series 4-0)

EAST AFRICAN TALENT: Rwanda U19 Women observe the closing ceremony after a competitive series in Entebbe, capped by a 32-run victory in the 40-over practice game
PROUD MOMENT: The Baby Victoria Pearls look on as the presentation proceedings get underway after securing an undefeated 4-0 T20 series sweep

Individual Award Winners

Series MVP: Tino Sarah (Uganda) – 246 Points

SERIES MVP: Cricket Uganda Regional Director to the Board Marjorie Nankinga presents Sarah Tino with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award after topping the overall rankings with 246 points (including a 4/31 performance in the final match)

Best Bowler: Mukite Asha (Uganda) – 8 Wickets

LEADING WICKET-TAKER: Rwanda Cricket Association U19 Women Team Manager Gloria Bageni presents Uganda’s Mukite Asha with the Best Bowler award for her tournament-high 8 wickets

Best Batter: Fanny Utagushimaninde (Rwanda) – 84 Runs

RUN-MACHINE HONORED: Baby Victoria Pearls Team Manager Shakirah Saddick presents Rwanda U19’s Fanny Utagushimaninde with the Best Batter award after topping the league runs chart (84 runs) and scoring 110 in the final match