Uganda emphatically announced themselves at the 2026 FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket, brushing aside regional rivals Kenya 84-57 in a commanding Group A performance that showcased defensive intensity, rebounding dominance and impressive offensive balance.
It was the first outing for both sides at the tournament, but Uganda looked the more settled and confident team from the opening tip to the final buzzer.
From the outset, Uganda dictated the pace. Every possession was played with purpose; their defence forced Kenya into uncomfortable shooting situations, while their transition play continually punished turnovers. The 27-point victory was not built on one spectacular quarter, but on a complete team performance where almost every player contributed.
The biggest difference between the two East African neighbours came in the paint. Uganda outrebounded Kenya 67-49, including an impressive 27 offensive rebounds, repeatedly earning second-chance opportunities that gradually wore Kenya down. Those extra possessions proved invaluable, allowing Uganda to keep the scoreboard ticking even when shots initially failed to fall.
At the heart of Uganda’s victory was a sensational performance from Melissa Margareth Taliba. The forward produced a double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds, shooting an efficient 7-of-11 from the field while knocking down 11 of her 15 free throws. Her presence inside was relentless, collecting six offensive rebounds and constantly forcing Kenya into difficult defensive situations. Every time Kenya threatened to build momentum, Taliba responded with another basket, rebound or trip to the free-throw line.
Matching Taliba’s scoring output was Rose Musundi, who also poured in 25 points. Musundi mixed her scoring brilliantly, attacking inside while also knocking down two three-pointers. Her aggression on both ends of the floor added five steals, making her one of Uganda’s most influential two-way performers.
Uganda’s attack was far from a two-player show. Mary Hazel Ssengendo added 14 points and seven rebounds, finishing efficiently around the basket, while Maria Nanyonga chipped in 11 points, stretching Kenya’s defence with timely perimeter shooting.
Although she scored only two points, Grace Nakalembe quietly orchestrated much of Uganda’s offence. Her 12 assists demonstrated excellent court vision, repeatedly finding teammates in scoring positions. Combined with seven rebounds and six steals, Nakalembe influenced virtually every aspect of the game without needing to dominate the scoring column.
Uganda’s collective effort was reflected in the statistics. Five players grabbed at least five rebounds, the team registered 22 assists, and their defensive pressure forced Kenya into 25 turnovers, converting many of those mistakes into easy transition points.
Kenya struggled to find rhythm throughout the contest. Scholastica Wileka Maburu led their scoring with 16 points, while Brenda Akinyi Ochieng and Joyce Wangui Kagiri each contributed 12. However, Kenya’s offensive efficiency remained a major concern, converting just 17 of 67 field-goal attempts (25.4%), compared to Uganda’s 31 field goals.
Uganda connected on 39.1% of their two-point attempts and 27.3% from beyond the arc, while Kenya managed only 29% inside the arc and 20.7% from three-point range. Uganda also controlled the free-throw line, making 16 of 26, compared to Kenya’s 17 of 29, but crucially generated many more quality scoring opportunities through offensive rebounds and ball movement.
Defensively, Uganda’s energy never dropped. Their 15 steals, active hands and aggressive closeouts constantly disrupted Kenya’s offensive flow, while limiting clean perimeter looks. Kenya’s guards were repeatedly forced into rushed decisions, contributing significantly to their turnover count.
Beyond the scoreline, Uganda’s depth stood out. Even players coming off the bench contributed valuable rebounds, defensive stops and hustle plays that maintained the team’s intensity whenever rotations changed. It was a complete squad effort rather than reliance on a handful of stars.
For Uganda, this opening-day victory provides the perfect platform for the remainder of the group stage. The combination of dominant rebounding, disciplined defence, excellent ball distribution and multiple scoring threats suggests a team capable of challenging the tournament’s strongest sides.