Uganda captain Janet Mbabazi was relieved to see her side hold their nerve and get the job done after a testing encounter against Namibia, as the Victoria Pearls began their 2026 Victoria Series campaign with a four-wicket victory at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe on Friday morning.
“We’re very happy as a team to be able to go over the line,” Mbabazi said after Uganda eventually chased down Namibia’s 73-run target, reaching 74 for six in 19.3 overs.
It was a win that demanded patience, discipline and a bit of character from the hosts, who had to work harder than expected after Namibia made them fight for every run.
Having won the toss, Mbabazi elected to field, and her bowlers responded with a disciplined performance to restrict the visitors to 73 for nine in their 20 overs.
Namibia started brightly, with Merzerly Gorases striking 11 off just four balls before falling to Consylate Aweko Nimungu. Suné Wittmann also made 11 before Sarah Walaza sent her back, leaving the visitors at 22 for two after just 2.1 overs.
Aweko removed Mekelaye Mwatile for two, while Malisa Ariokot took charge of the middle order, dismissing Kayleen Ann Green and Arrasta Diergaardt for four and five, respectively.
At 36 for five, Namibia were already struggling to build a meaningful total.
Wilka Mwatile managed six before Immaculate Nakisuuyi claimed her wicket, while Mbabazi accounted for Edelle Van Zyl, who made five from 21 deliveries. Malisa then picked up her third wicket by bowling Victoria Hamunyela for one.
Naomi Benjamin offered some resistance, remaining unbeaten on 20 from 33 balls, but wickets continued to fall at the other end. Eveleen Kejarukua was run out by Mbabazi for three, leaving Namibia at 67 for nine before finishing on 73.
Ariokot was Uganda’s leading bowler with three wickets for nine runs in four overs. Aweko took two for 20, while Walaza, Mbabazi and Nakisuyi claimed one wicket each. Walaza conceded 20 runs in four overs, Mbabazi returned figures of one for nine in three overs, Nakisuyi took one for seven in three overs, and Asumin Akurut conceded seven runs in her two overs without taking a wicket.
However, what looked like a manageable chase quickly turned into a nervy afternoon for Uganda.
The hosts could hardly have asked for a worse start. Mbabazi was bowled by Wilka Mwatile for a duck after facing just two balls. Wilka struck again, removing Proscovia Alako for two and Stephanie Nampiina for six to leave Uganda reeling at 13 for three inside three overs.
The pressure mounted when Esther Iloku was caught by Mekelaye Mwatile off Eveleen Kejarukua for one, reducing Uganda to 18 for four in 5.3 overs.
With wickets falling around her, Rita Musamali refused to panic. She understood that the team needed someone to stay at the crease, rather than chase runs recklessly.
Asked what was going through her mind as her teammates continued to fall, Rita kept her response simple.
“It was all about being patient on the wicket,” she said.
And patience was exactly what Uganda needed.
Musamali dug in, carefully building her innings while wickets continued to tumble at the other end. Her unbeaten 42 off 55 deliveries, including four boundaries, became the backbone of Uganda’s chase.
Immaculate Nakisuuyi contributed three before becoming Mekelaye’s only victim, while wicketkeeper Kevin Awino made seven before falling to Eveleen. At 64 for six after 17.4 overs, Uganda still needed runs, with the outcome hanging in the balance.
Malisa Ariokot joined Musamali and helped see the job through, contributing an unbeaten six off seven balls, including a boundary. With seven extras also added, Uganda crossed the line at 74 for six in 19.3 overs, with three balls to spare.
Wilka finished as Namibia’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for nine runs in four overs. Eveleen claimed two for 12, while Mekelaye took one for 13.
For Mbabazi, the victory was as much about the bowlers’ discipline as it was about Rita’s composure with the bat. She was particularly pleased with Malisa’s contribution, especially with the semi-new ball.
“First of all, it was a good thing. Well done to the bowlers for putting up such a good performance out there. I think Malisa was very exceptional with a semi-new ball,” she said.
The Uganda captain admitted that the chase was always going to be difficult after seeing how Namibia approached their innings, but was pleased that her players remained committed to their game plan.
“At the end of the day, we knew that it was going to be tough considering how the Namibians went about their innings as well. For us, it was just a matter of sticking to our process, and I’m glad that Rita was able to do that for the team,” Mbabazi added.
She described Masamali’s contribution as a massive one for the team, praising her ability to stay calm when the pressure was building.
“I think it was a massive performance that was needed as a team. As a player, I’m sure she’s also very happy that she was in such conditions and was able to come out on top for the team,” she said.
Mbabazi believes Musamali’s greatest strength is her ability to keep a clear head at the crease, something that proved valuable on a morning when Uganda desperately needed someone to steady the innings.
“She’s the kind of person who has a very clear head when batting on the wicket, and she can manage the pressure very well. I’m glad that she was able to do that, and all the other batters batting around her. It was lovely to see,” she said.
The Pearls will now turn their attention to Saturday’s afternoon fixture against Rwanda, scheduled for November 7, as they look to build on their winning start.
There is also anticipation surrounding the possible appearance of Kampi Nainhabo, whose inclusion in the squad has raised expectations of a debut during the series.
Asked whether Kampi could get her opportunity against Rwanda, Mbabazi left the decision to the technical team but acknowledged that every player wants a chance to represent the country.
“I think that’s a very good question for the coach,” she said.
She added that Kampi could feature if the playing conditions and the team’s plans call for her inclusion.
“As a player, you want to be able to play some games for the team. Hopefully, in tomorrow’s game, if the conditions, the team strategies and the team plans require her to come onto the field, you’ll probably see her.”
Victoria Pearls’ opening victory was just about getting two points on the board and about finding a way through a difficult contest.