For the first time in history, Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team will step onto the Commonwealth Games stage, carrying not only the nation’s hopes but also the responsibility of breaking new ground for the sport.
Leading that historic journey is captain Jane Asinde, a player whose rise through the ranks of international basketball has been defined by resilience, leadership and an unwavering commitment to representing Uganda.
As the team prepares for its maiden Commonwealth Games appearance, Asinde believes the occasion is about far more than medals; it is about creating a legacy that will inspire generations of Ugandan girls to dream bigger.
Currently playing professional basketball as a forward for Azul Marino in Spain’s top-tier division, Asinde has become one of Uganda’s most accomplished female basketball players.
Since featuring for the Gazelles at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket in Kigali following Uganda’s wildcard qualification, she has grown into one of the team’s most influential figures.
Her outstanding performances at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers earned her the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award, and in June 2024 she was entrusted with the captaincy, succeeding Flavia Oketcho.
Now, she faces perhaps her biggest leadership challenge yet, guiding Uganda into unfamiliar territory at one of the world’s biggest multi-sport events.
For Asinde, captaining Uganda’s first-ever women’s 3×3 basketball team at the Commonwealth Games is both an honour and a responsibility.
“It means a lot to make history for Uganda,” she says. “I’m excited and proud, but I also understand the responsibility of representing everyone who dreams of playing basketball. I try to focus on the opportunity, stay grounded, and give my best for the team and the country.”
While the excitement surrounding the team’s debut continues to build, Asinde remains focused on ensuring the occasion does not overwhelm the players.
Instead, she wants the team to embrace the opportunity, compete fearlessly and demonstrate that Uganda belongs among the world’s best.
Although Asinde has captained traditional 5×5 teams, she believes leading in 3×3 basketball presents an entirely different challenge.
Unlike the conventional game, where five players share responsibilities over four quarters, 3×3 is played with just three players on court in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment where every decision can determine the outcome.
“3×3 is faster and more intense,” she explains. “Leadership has to be immediate. With only three players on the court, communication, decision-making and accountability are constant. You have to lead by example every possession.”
The condensed nature of the game leaves little room for mistakes. Every defensive stop, every rebound and every possession carries greater significance, making leadership on the court more visible than ever.
For Asinde, that means setting the standard through effort, composure and consistency while ensuring her teammates remain confident regardless of the scoreline.
Uganda heads to the Commonwealth Games carrying valuable international experience gained during the recent FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, where the team impressed by reaching the quarter-finals against some of the strongest basketball nations in the world.
The campaign offered far more than results. It exposed the Ugandan side to the pace, physicality and tactical demands of elite international competition, which, according to Asinde, transformed the team’s mindset.
“The biggest lessons were the importance of staying composed, adapting quickly and trusting our system against top-level teams,” she says. “Reaching the quarter-finals gave us confidence and showed us that we can compete internationally. It has also prepared us mentally for the intensity and pressure of the Commonwealth Games.”
Uganda may be making its Commonwealth Games debut, but Asinde believes the team’s greatest advantage lies not in reputation but in its collective identity.
She describes the squad as one built on relentless energy, defensive intensity, resilience and togetherness.
“Our biggest strengths are our energy, defense, resilience, athleticism and togetherness,” she says. “We may have less experience than some nations, but we believe in each other and will use our pace, intensity and fighting spirit to compete every possession.”
The team’s willingness to defend aggressively, contest every ball and play with relentless intensity has earned respect on the international circuit and given opponents little opportunity to underestimate them. It is an identity Asinde believes can unsettle even the tournament favourites.
While every athlete dreams of standing on the podium, Asinde views the Commonwealth Games as an opportunity to build something that extends well beyond a single tournament.
She hopes Uganda’s participation becomes a turning point for women’s basketball and particularly the rapidly growing 3×3 format.
“I hope our debut inspires more girls and women in Uganda to believe that basketball can take them to the highest level,” she says. “I also hope it creates greater visibility and opportunities for 3×3 basketball and women’s sport in Uganda.”
As one of the newest Olympic disciplines and one of the fastest-growing versions of basketball worldwide, 3×3 presents fresh opportunities for emerging basketball nations such as Uganda to compete consistently on the international stage.
For many teams, success is measured solely by medals. For Uganda’s pioneering squad, Asinde believes success encompasses much more.
“Success means competing with confidence, representing Uganda with pride and showing the growth of women’s 3×3 basketball in our country,” she says. “Of course, we want to win, but we also want to leave the court knowing we gave everything and made history.”
As Jane Asinde leads her teammates onto the Commonwealth Games court, they will carry more than the Ugandan flag.
They will represent years of sacrifice, the growth of women’s basketball, and the dreams of countless young girls who now have tangible proof that the world stage is within reach.
For Asinde, leadership is not simply about wearing the captain’s armband; it is about setting standards, inspiring belief and opening doors for those who will follow.
This year’s Commonwealth Games will mark Uganda’s first appearance in women’s 3×3 basketball, but if Asinde and her teammates have their way, it will be remembered not as a one-time milestone, but as the beginning of a lasting tradition of excellence on the international stage.