Uganda International Series: Ugandan shuttlers assured of five medals

The Lugogo Indoor Arena is set for an exciting climax as Ugandan shuttlers guaranteed themselves at least five medals on a dramatic Saturday at the 2026 Uganda International Series.

Capitalising on home advantage, the national contingent lit up the courts, headlined by a sensational run from Muzafaru Lubega and Gladys Mbabazi.

Just days after making their mark at the Kampala International Future Series at the same venue, Lubega and Mbabazi have picked up right where they left off. The dynamic duo punched their ticket to Sunday’s mixed doubles final after a fiercely contested, straight-games victory over Algeria’s Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefoun and Linda Mazri, winning 21-19, 21-19.

As she walked off the court, an exhausted Mbabazi could only let out a heartfelt “pheww” perfectly capturing the sheer intensity of the encounter. For Lubega, however, the match felt a bit more manageable, even if it required determination.

“It has been the easiest of games, but we have managed to grind it out onto another final,” he noted.

Muzafaru Lubega Credit: John Batanudde

The victory guarantees Lubega and Mbabazi at least silver, but they return to Court One on Sunday with their sights firmly set on gold. They will face Malaysia’s formidable pairing of Hafiz Hakimi Hashim and Lim Xuan in the showcase event, scheduled as the final match in the order of play beginning at 11:00 AM.

A tremendous haul of bronze medals

While Lubega and Mbabazi carry the nation’s remaining gold medal aspirations, a wave of impressive performances across other categories ensured a substantial overall medal return for the host country at the tournament, which concludes today.

Reagan Michael Nsubuga Credit: John Batanudde

● Tracy Naluwooza and Reagan Michael Nsubuga put up a valiant fight in the mixed doubles semifinals before falling 21-7, 21-17 to Malaysia’s Hashim and Lim Xuan, securing a well-earned bronze.

● Tracy Naluwooza doubled her success in the women’s doubles. Partnering with second seed Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi, Naluwooza pushed India’s Akshita Manral and Ishita Negi to the limit in a tight opening game before dropping a 22-20, 21-13 decision, wrapping up her second bronze of the event.

Tracy Naluwooza Credit: John Batanudde

● Gladys Mbabazi and Mable Namakoye also collected bronze in the women’s doubles after a tough 21-6, 21-9 defeat against India’s Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker.

● Gladys Mbabazi added a third medal to her personal collection in the women’s singles. The Ugandan second seed fell 21-9, 21-13 to India’s Aesha Gandhi in the semifinals, rounding out a stellar tournament with another bronze.

Sunday’s Finals

With home familiarity paying dividends, attention shifts entirely to Sunday, October 4, 2026, where the continental showdown concludes on Court One;

● Women’s Singles Final: India’s Akshita Manral vs Aesha Gandhi

● Men’s Doubles Final: Malaysia’s Hafiz Hakimi Hashim and Meng Fong Wong Vs India’s Manav Choudhary and Himanshu Tiwari

● Men’s Singles Final: Myanmar’s top seed Hein Htut Vs Iran’s third seed Ali Hayati

● Women’s Doubles Final: India’s Sonali Singh and Ritika Thaker Vs compatriots Akshita Manral and Ishita Negi

● Mixed Doubles Final: Uganda’s Muzafaru Lubega and Gladys Mbabazi Vs Malaysia’s Hafiz Hakimi Hashim and Lim Xuan

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