Nigeria emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 Uganda Para Badminton International, while Uganda enjoyed one of its most successful performances on home soil as the six-day tournament concluded at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.
Held from July 7 to July 12, the international championship attracted athletes from Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Benin, Kenya and Israel, after the original list of 17 participating countries was reduced following concerns surrounding the Ebola outbreak. Despite the smaller field, the competition delivered exciting matches, high-quality performances and valuable Badminton World Federation (BWF) world ranking points for participating athletes.
Nigeria once again underlined its status as one of Africa’s para badminton powerhouses by claiming several of the tournament’s biggest titles across both singles and doubles competitions.
Among the standout performers was Ifeanao Emmanuel, who enjoyed a remarkable championship by winning the Men’s WH2 singles title, partnering with Brown to capture the WH1-WH2 Mixed Doubles gold medal, and finishing with silver in the WH doubles competition.
Speaking after his successful campaign, Ifeanao praised Uganda for successfully hosting the tournament despite concerns surrounding the Ebola outbreak.
“I won two gold medals and one silver. I want to appreciate the people who sponsored this programme. We came, we saw and we conquered. There is no Ebola in Uganda,” he said while thanking both Uganda and his sponsors back home in Nigeria.
Compatriot Chigozie Jeremiah Nnanna also enjoyed an outstanding tournament, winning the Men’s SL4 singles title after upgrading from the bronze medal he won during his previous appearance in Uganda.
Nnanna attributed his success to years of consistent training and experience gained on the international stage.
“I’ve been playing for six to seven years now and training consistently. I attended the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and that has pushed me to this level,” he explained.
Although fewer countries attended this year’s tournament because of Ebola-related withdrawals, he noted that the competition remained highly competitive.
Nigeria also collected several other titles, including the Men’s SL3 singles, Women’s WH1+WH2 singles, the SL3-SU5 doubles, and multiple podium finishes throughout the championship, reinforcing the country’s dominance at the event.
While Nigeria topped many of the major categories, Uganda produced an equally encouraging campaign by collecting more than 15 medals across the tournament.
Among the home team’s standout performers was Brian Mugabe, who captured the Men’s WH1 singles gold medal before teaming up with Rwanda’s Jean D’Amour Ndahiro to win the WH1-WH2 doubles title. Mugabe also featured in the mixed doubles competition alongside Brenda Nabukenya, finishing fourth.
Uganda also celebrated success in the women’s standing events. Harriet Nakayima won the Women’s SL4 singles title, while Elizabeth Mwesigwa claimed the Women’s SL3 Exhibition title, defeating compatriot Resty Nangobi Kalembe in the final.
The hosts continued to shine in doubles competition as Hassan Mubiru and Resty Nangobi Kalembe secured the SL3-SU5 Mixed Doubles title, while Julius Obura and Harriet Nakayima earned silver. Uganda also claimed additional podium finishes through Godfrey Katalo and Latifu Ngobi, Hassan Mubiru and Julius Obura, and David Mukisa and Sumin Mutesi.
Other notable Ugandan medalists included:
- Sumin Mutesi – Silver (Women’s SL4+SU5)
- Sarah Nazziwa – Silver (Women’s WH1)
- Brenda Nabukenya – Silver (Women’s WH2)
- Jonathan Ochan – Silver (Men’s SU5)
- Hassan Mubiru – Silver (Men’s SL4)
- Flavia Basuuta – Bronze (Women’s WH1)
- Pamela Banura – Bronze (Women’s WH2)
- Ritah Asiimwe – Bronze (Women’s SU5)
- David Mukisa and Godfrey Katalo – Bronze (Men’s SL3)
- Latifu Ngobi and Julius Obura – Bronze (Men’s SL4).
One of Uganda’s most inspiring stories came from Tokyo 2020 Paralympian Ritah Asiimwe, who returned to international competition after nearly two years away from the sport.
Asiimwe marked her comeback by winning bronze in the Women’s SU5 singles before partnering to claim gold in the SL3-SU5 doubles, describing the achievement as proof that persistence always pays off.
“This year’s tournament has really been a challenge because I had not played for two years, but I’m happy I managed to get these medals. With more practice and persistence, you can always achieve the results you plan for,” she said.
Beyond the medals, the Uganda Para Badminton International reinforced Uganda’s growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting major international para sporting events.
Badminton Uganda Chief Executive Officer Simon Mugabi said the tournament had achieved its objectives despite attracting fewer countries than initially expected because of the Ebola situation.
“Ugandan players had a chance of winning many medals. I think we have more than 15 medals that they have got today. It has been good for our players because, besides winning medals, they have also earned world ranking points,” Mugabi said.
He added that athletes appreciated the opportunity to compete for valuable world ranking points and encouraged players to register for the upcoming second edition of the Kabaka’s Coronation Tournament scheduled for this week, 14 – 19th at CFK badminton stadium.
Despite the unavoidable reduction in participating nations, the 2026 Uganda Para Badminton International proved to be a successful championship, showcasing resilience, outstanding performances and the continued growth of para badminton across Africa. For Uganda, the impressive medal haul and valuable world ranking points provide fresh momentum as the country’s para badminton athletes continue their rise on the international stage.