Uganda’s badminton team wrapped up an encouraging campaign at the JE WILSON Ghana International Tournament, held from 12–16 August 2026, with three medals and several impressive performances as the country’s players continued their pursuit of valuable BWF ranking points.
The Ugandan contingent returned from Ghana with one silver and two bronze medals, with Lubega Muzafaru and Gladys Mbabazi leading the charge by reaching the Mixed Doubles final.
The performances were particularly significant because the Ghana International is part of a series of tournaments in which Uganda’s players are seeking to improve their world rankings ahead of the BWF World Championships and the forthcoming qualification race for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The JE WILSON Ghana International 2026 is also among the BWF-sanctioned events and records the podium results.
The highlight of Uganda’s campaign was the performance of Muzafaru Lubega and Gladys Mbabazi in the Mixed Doubles.
The Ugandan pair progressed through the draw with a series of strong performances before securing their place in the final. Their run was confirmed after they advanced from the semi-final stage, setting up a title clash and guaranteeing Uganda at least a silver medal.
Earlier in the tournament, Lubega also showed his quality in the Men’s Singles, defeating Ghana’s Reuben Teye Tetteh 21–13, 21–17 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Lubega had already demonstrated his form before reaching the latter stages, winning his earlier matches and continuing to carry Uganda’s hopes across both the singles and Mixed Doubles draws. A separate tournament update also recorded him advancing with a 21–13, 21–17 victory in the singles competition.
Although the Mixed Doubles final ultimately ended with Uganda taking silver, reaching the championship match was a major achievement and provided valuable ranking points.
Tracy Naluwooza and Reagan Nsubuga also reached the podium, securing a bronze medal.
Their run gave Uganda two medal-winning combinations in the same discipline and highlighted the depth of the country’s Mixed Doubles programme.
For Naluwooza, the result added another international achievement to an already promising season. She has established herself as one of Uganda’s leading female players and continues to gain valuable experience through international competition.
The bronze medal in Ghana therefore represents another step in her development as she works to improve her ranking and compete more consistently at the highest level.
Gladys Mbabazi was arguably Uganda’s standout performer in Ghana, returning home with two medals.
After winning silver alongside Lubega in Mixed Doubles, she teamed up with Kruthum Nalumansi in the Women’s Doubles to claim another bronze medal.
Mbabazi’s ability to reach the podium in two different disciplines underlines both her experience and versatility.
Her Ghana campaign also builds on strong domestic form. In July, she successfully defended both the Professional Women’s Doubles and Professional Mixed Doubles titles at the Kabaka’s Coronation Badminton Tournament, partnering MebleNamakoye in Women’s Doubles and Muzafaru Lubega in Mixed Doubles.
Beyond the medals, Uganda’s campaign featured several wins that showed the team could compete and progress against international opposition.
These victories matter because the objective in Ghana was not simply to collect medals. Every match won and every round progressed represented another opportunity to earn ranking points and gain international experience.
Uganda’s final medal tally stood at 3:
- Silver – Muzafaru Lubega & Gladys Mbabazi, Mixed Doubles
- Bronze – Tracy Naluwooza & Reagan Nsubuga, Mixed Doubles
- Bronze – Kruthum Nalumansi & Gladys Mbabazi, Women’s Doubles
The three-medal haul gives the Ugandan team plenty to celebrate, but the athletes know the bigger target lies ahead.
These international tournaments form part of Uganda’s strategy to improve its players’ BWF World Rankings, with the rankings expected to play an important role in the country’s ambitions of securing representation at the BWF World Championships.
Just as importantly, the players are building towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with the Olympic qualification process expected to begin next year.
Lagos next, then Cameroon
There will be little time for the players to rest. Uganda’s international campaign continues later this month at the Lagos International in Nigeria, scheduled for 26–29 August 2026.
The team will then head to Cameroon for the Cameroon International from 3–6 September 2026.
The two tournaments will provide further opportunities for the Ugandan players to collect ranking points and continue building momentum before the Olympic qualification race begins.