Justine Musubika, one of 6 siblings all of whom began playing cricket at Jinja SS, Justine went to Magwa Primary School where she played Mini Cricket then joined Jinja SSS and later Makerere University. Musubika went on to represent the senior ladies team with her elder siblings Fred Isabirye and Charles Waiswa who have all represented the men’s national team. If you played cricket at Jinja SS she was always in the scorers tree cheering on whichever team was playing.
Justine together with her sister Hellen and Betty started the dominance of Jinja SS ladies cricket team, ladies cricket was a preserve then for Kampala schools mainly dominated by City High and Gayaza High School. That Changed the year Justine and her girls landed in Kampala when together with her sisters, they brought something new to ladies cricket. Swing bowling was unheard of among girls but Justine and Hellen were blessed in-swingers just like big brother Charles Waiswa.
When Musubika burst on the scene she was always referred to as Fred and Charles’ sister but she went on to make her own name, following the footsteps of elder brother Charles by being the reliable opening bowler for the ladies national team and late order hard hitter.
Unfortunately life happened and like all amateur sports personalities Musubika couldn’t keeping playing for long, after University she moved to the UAE where she works and is a resident now. She was was a constant presence in the ladies dressing team when the team toured the UAE last year, she admits it’s hard to stay away from the cricket addiction and continues to play for the Desert Cricket Ladies in the UAE when she gets time.
Musubika is back home after over 3 years away and she couldn’t miss playing with her favorite Pioneer ladies in the T20 League even on holiday.
We spoke to Justine about her cricket journey and what it was like growing up in a cricket mad family.
How does it feel to be back for your beloved Pioneer?
Feels good being back home and of course playing for Pioneer and looks like it’s the only club I can play for and feel completely comfortable. It’s unfortunate though that the season is coming to an end
Tell us about your family
I was born and raised in a family of 6 children, 2 boys; Charlie [Waiswa] and Freddie [Isabirye] and 4 girls [Betty, Hellen and Irene]
And your Cricket Background?
I played Mini Cricket for Magwa Primary School and later Jinja SSS [2003-2008]. I captained Jinja SSS from s.3 to s.5 won the inaugural WHO girls cricket tournament in 2007 and since then history has repeated itself. I featured for hope town rangers, JACC, Tornado and Pioneers CC until now. I made my first debut on the Ladies national team in 2006.
The ladies team this year shocked the continent when they became African Champions, do you think it was about time?
Sure it was about time given the fact that it’s really been a long time coming. I can’t even count the years. Am really happy for them and if they go with the same attitude as they did down in Namibia mid this year, they will reach greater heights and achieve more in Netherlands come next year and like they always say, “it takes the worst pain to bring about the best change”.
Congrats to the ladies cricket cranes for the big milestone achieved so far in Uganda ladies cricket history.
How do the ladies build on this success to be able to qualify for the ODI world cup as well?
They should keep working as a team and avoid individual conflicts and clashes. You can’t play and succeed in a Team if one or two guys hate each other.. Stay strong, stand up and keep going.
Have things changed much since you played on the team and now? If so what has changed?
Ugandan cricket is always changing, have seen new faces on the team plus new management as well. Ladies should stay focused and passionate if they want to reach that goal so bad.
What is needs to be done locally for Uganda to move to the next level and have good men and women teams?
Both teams should be facilitated especially in terms of build up matches both home and away, it helps to prepare one both mentally and physically.
How was it growing up with Charles and Fred? who have both featured for the national team.
Growing up with my big brothers [Fred and Charles] really inspired me because in them I saw a very good mentors and coaches as well. They introduced me to the game way back in primary and back then mini cricket was my favorite especially when we qualified for the nationals tournament which was always held in Lugogo, Kampala and with that I knew that it wouldn’t take me much time to play on the national ladies team.
Among your sisters, do you think you were most talented or it was other factors that made you scale heights compared to Betty and Hellen?
The three of us are all talented because we would contribute 100% to the teams we featured on. We were all introduced to the game at a very young age and we surely did carry on. Right now it looks like it’s only me still in the game but I would definitely love to play with them again
Do you still get time to bowl those in swingers in the UAE?
I do play cricket in the UAE but it’s only on club level given the fact that the UAE ladies team is always away on buildup games both as a team and on individual basis but I always look on the bright side. It’s not easy though to juggle work and cricket, sometimes you end up choosing one of the two. Weather is also not that favorable given the fact that it’s always hot beyond the normal temperatures so we end up playing T20 matches instead of the 50 over cricket but am really honored to play for Desert Cubs Cricket Club.
