- 2026 Women’s IHF Nations Trophy Africa Zone V | Final | Sunday, November 8
- Uganda 29-28 Kenya
Uganda’s Nile Queens had every reason to celebrate after finally ending their decade-long wait for the Women’s IHF Nations Trophy – Africa Zone V title, but the sweetest part of Sunday’s triumph was doing it at the expense of their familiar rivals, Kenya.
The Nile Queens found the perfect response to their earlier group-stage defeat, edging Kenya 29-28 in a gripping final at the Filbert Bayi Multi Sports Centre in Kibaha, Tanzania, to reclaim the regional crown and book their place at the 2026 African Women’s Handball Championship.
It was the kind of final that required more than just skill. Uganda needed patience, character and the courage to stand firm when the pressure mounted. Having fallen to Kenya in their final Group A encounter, the Queens returned with unfinished business and made sure the trophy would be heading home with them.
Joyce Namutosi sealed the memorable victory as Uganda held on for a one-goal win, bringing an end to a ten-year wait for the regional title.
For head coach Aziz Yukub, the triumph was a fitting reward for the work he has invested in the team alongside assistant coach Jemmy Remie Orotin. Yukub has consistently backed his players, and they repaid that confidence with a performance that delivered when it mattered most.
Claire Tabingwa was once again among Uganda’s outstanding performers. Her contribution earned her second Player of the Match accolade in the tournament, adding another personal highlight to an evening that belonged to the entire team.
Uganda last won the Zone 5 crown in 2016 when they hosted the competition. Sunday’s victory therefore represents a special return to the top for a team that has spent years trying to re-establish itself among Africa’s leading women’s handball nations.
Beyond the celebrations, the Queens had another reason to smile. Their victory secured Uganda the final available qualification place for the 27th Women’s Senior African Nations Handball Championship, scheduled for December 2-12 in Tunisia.
The other 15 participating teams had already confirmed their places, and the draw had been completed before Uganda claimed the remaining Zone 5 ticket.
The Queens have been drawn in Group C alongside hosts Tunisia, Cameroon and Zambia, setting up another important test of their progress against some of the continent’s established handball nations.
Uganda finished the Zone V competition with gold, Kenya settled for silver after Sunday’s defeat, while Rwanda claimed bronze after narrowly beating hosts Tanzania 32-31.
Uganda’s latest success is another significant step in a long journey to restore the country’s presence on the continental handball stage.
The country first featured in the Africa Women’s Senior Handball Nations Cup in 1974 before making further appearances in 1976 and 1979.
In 2016, the Nile Queens won the Zone 5 title on home soil. Another memorable breakthrough followed when Uganda hosted the IHF Trophy Africa Zone V qualifier at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono.
The Queens defeated Kenya in a thrilling final to win the regional competition and qualify for the 2017 IHF Trophy Continental Phase in Dakar, Senegal.
It was a landmark achievement for Ugandan women’s handball, marking the first time the country had qualified for the continental tournament since its inception in 2010.
More recently, Uganda earned qualification for the 26th edition of the African Women’s Handball Championship after finishing fifth at the 13th African Games in Ghana. The tournament was held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from November 27 to December 7, 2024.
However, the return to continental competition was a difficult experience.
The Queens struggled in the group stage, finishing bottom of Group B after losing all their matches. They nevertheless showed some fight in the classification games, recovering to beat East African rivals Kenya 34-25 before settling for 11th place overall.
That campaign was an important opportunity for a team seeking to rebuild its confidence and competitiveness against the continent’s best.
The Queens have finally returned to the top of Zone 5. The next challenge is to make their presence felt in Tunisia, where hosts Tunisia, Cameroon and Zambia await in Group C.