Kampi Nainhabo ready to make Victoria Pearls debut

Kampi Nainhabo is looking forward to making her international debut for Uganda, with the opportunity carrying a special meaning for the 23-year-old whose father once represented the country in cricket.

The Australian-based batter has been named in the Victoria Pearls squad for the 2026 Victoria Series, which will run from November 6 to 14 at the Entebbe Cricket Oval.

For Nainhabo, the call-up is not just another step in her cricket career. It is an opportunity to follow in her father’s footsteps and represent the country of her birth.

“I am extremely excited to have been selected to be a part of the team. I think it’s an amazing opportunity. My dad played for the Ugandan team when he lived here, and it feels like such a privilege and an honour to be following in his footsteps as well,” Nainhabo said.

The 23-year-old right-handed batting all-rounder was included in Uganda’s 14-player squad, with two reserves, announced on Thursday, October 29.

Having developed her game in Australia, she now has the chance to test herself on the international stage as Uganda prepare to host Rwanda, Namibia and the United States.

Nainhabo has represented the South East Bayside Breakers, trained with the Cricket Victoria Female High Performance Academy and played premier club cricket for Melbourne Cricket Club. She has also featured in Kookaburra Women’s Premier Cricket, gaining experience that she hopes to put to good use in Uganda’s colours.

Despite being new to the national team, she has already experienced the demands of training with the Victoria Pearls and has been encouraged by the reception from her teammates.

“The sessions have been very difficult, 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,” she said.

Nainhabo hopes to bring her enthusiasm for the game to the side while learning how the players work together on and off the field.

“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,” she added.

She is also eager to build relationships with her new teammates before the tournament gets underway.

“And I can’t wait for them to bring that with me onto the field to get to know all the girls,” Nainhabo said.

Mbabazi leads title defence

Janet Mbabazi of Uganda during the Match 9 of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2025 between Uganda Women vs Papua New Guinea Women held at Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok, Thailand on November 23, 2025.

Photo by: Pankaj Nangia / CREIMAS

Nainhabo is among three changes to the Victoria Pearls squad, which will be captained by all-rounder Janet Mbabazi.

Naume Jane Amongin and Kevin Awino return after missing the Capricorn Series, while Phiona Egaru Kulume, Jimia Abdallah Muhammed and Irene Mutonyi miss out after travelling with the team to Windhoek, Namibia, in July.

The selected squad also includes Stephanie Nampiina, Proscovia Alako, Ritah Musamali, Esther Iloku, Immaculate Nakisuyi, Malisa Ariokot, Sarah Walaza, Consylate Aweko Nimungu, Sarah Akiteng and Asumin Akurut.

Phiona Egaru Kulume and Lorna Anyait have been named as the two reserves.

Uganda will be looking to defend the Victoria Series title after an impressive five-match clean sweep against Canada in October 2025.

The Victoria Pearls defeated the Canadian Women’s National Team in all five matches played between October 20 and 26, 2025, setting a strong benchmark ahead of this year’s competition.

They also have fond memories of facing the USA at the inaugural Easter Women’s T20 Cup in Entebbe in April 2026.

Uganda opened with a thrilling one-run victory after posting 103 for five and restricting the Americans to 102 for eight.

They finished the competition unbeaten, defeating the USA by 11 runs in their final match. The Victoria Pearls scored 101 for five before bowling out their opponents for 90.

The Americans will now have another opportunity to challenge Uganda on their home ground, while Namibia will provide a familiar test.

The rivalry between Uganda and Namibia has produced some entertaining cricket. During their second encounter at the HP Oval in Windhoek, the two teams combined for 295 runs across both innings in a high-scoring contest.

With Rwanda also in the competition, the Victoria Pearls face a demanding test as they continue preparations for the 2027 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier finals.

Busy schedule in Entebbe

Victoria Pearls

The participating teams are expected to arrive on November 4, with official training scheduled for November 5 at the Entebbe Cricket Oval.

Uganda will open their campaign against Namibia on November 6 at 9:30am, while Rwanda face the USA at 2pm.

The Victoria Pearls will take on Rwanda on November 7 before meeting the USA on November 8. They will then face Namibia again on November 10, Rwanda on November 11 and the USA on November 12.

The other fixtures will see Namibia play the USA and Rwanda on November 7 and 8 respectively. Rwanda will meet the USA on November 10, while Uganda face Rwanda and Namibia play the USA on November 11. Uganda’s final group fixture against the USA and Namibia’s meeting with Rwanda will take place on November 12.

November 9 and 13 are scheduled as rest days, with the tournament concluding on November 14.

The third-place playoff between the third- and fourth-placed teams will be followed by the final between the top two sides. The teams are scheduled to depart on November 15.

The tournament offers Uganda a chance to defend their title while testing themselves against familiar opposition ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

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