In a display of defensive mastery and clinical execution, the Ugandan national women’s 3×3 basketball team, the Gazelles, achieved an unprecedented milestone by punching their ticket to the 2026 Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow.
Making their inaugural debut at the global spectacle, the East African powerhouse dismantled previously undefeated New Zealand 21-9 in a lopsided semifinal showdown at the Scottish Event Campus.
The dominant victory guarantees Uganda at least a silver medal, cementing a historic chapter in both continental basketball and the Commonwealth Games’ archives.
Uganda’s march to the penultimate round required grit and resolve following an impressive 4-1 run during the group stages. Finishing as the second seed after their sole group phase setback against Australia, the Gazelles were forced into a high-stakes semifinal playoff clash against Tonga.
Uganda comfortably dispatched the Pacific islanders 21-12 to set up a formidable encounter with a hot-handed New Zealand team that had swept through the tournament unscathed.
Despite entering the semifinal matchup as underdogs against the unbeaten Kiwis, the Gazelles orchestrated a defensive clinic that completely neutralised their opponents’ offensive rhythm.
Uganda suffocated New Zealand’s attack, forcing them into contested long-range attempts that persistently failed to find the mark.
The Kiwis launched 14 shots from beyond the two-point arc but converted just once as Uganda’s relentless perimeter pressure dictated the flow of play.
While the defence stifled New Zealand, Uganda’s offence functioned with lethal efficiency. The Gazelles converted 12 of their 20 single-point attempts and sank three out of four shots from behind the two-point line, controlling the tempo from start to finish.
Star forward Jane Asinde led the stat sheet with a commanding double-double performance of 8 points and 6 rebounds, while teammate Melissa Akullu matched her scoring output with 8 points and 4 rebounds.
Supporting guards Perus Nyamwenge and Jamila Nansinkombi combined for the remaining 5 points to seal the comfortable victory.
The Gazelles now turn their attention to a blockbuster final against tournament favourites Australia at the Scottish Event Campus, scheduled for 22:00 EAT.
Having fallen 21-9 to the Australians in their earlier group stage meeting, the Ugandans will enter the gold medal match with a sense of redemption on their minds as they seek to become the first African nation in history to capture Commonwealth Games 3×3 basketball gold.
