Janet Mbabazi wants the Victoria Pearls to put their recent disappointments behind them and rediscover the winning touch when they face the USA on Thursday, knowing that victory will secure Uganda a place in the final of the 2026 Victoria Series.
The Uganda captain is refusing to let back-to-back defeats derail the team’s ambitions, instead urging her teammates to pick out the positives from their latest outing and carry them into what has become a must-win encounter.
Despite the 18-run defeat to Rwanda on Wednesday at the Entebbe Cricket Oval, Mbabazi believes there were encouraging signs, particularly from the bowling department, that Uganda can build on.
“Another loss today, but as a team I think we have some positives that we can take from today’s game, like some good bowling displays from the bowling department,” Mbabazi said.
With one group match remaining, the captain is keen to see her players shift their attention to the bigger picture rather than dwell on consecutive setbacks. She knows the route to the final is still in Uganda’s hands, provided they deliver against the USA.
“We have another game at hand. We win that convincingly, and we’re in the finals,” she added.
Uganda had made a perfect start to the tournament, winning their opening three matches before their campaign hit a stumbling block in the second round.
Their first setback came against Namibia, who edged the Victoria Pearls by four runs. Rwanda then handed the hosts another defeat, winning by 18 runs in a rain-affected contest reduced to 18 overs per side.
Rain delayed the start at the Entebbe Cricket Oval, but once play got underway, Uganda won the toss and elected to bowl under overcast skies.
Rwanda posted 92/5 in 18 overs, largely thanks to Gisele Ishimwe, who anchored the innings with 32 runs and gave her side a competitive total to defend.
Mbabazi led from the front with the ball, taking 3/20, while Malisa Ariokot claimed 1/13 and Consy Aweko added 1/18 in a disciplined bowling display that kept Rwanda within reach.
However, Uganda’s batting let them down when it mattered most.
The Victoria Pearls suffered an early collapse, losing their top five batters for single-digit scores as Rwanda’s bowlers reduced them to 37/6.
Malisa Ariokot tried to keep Uganda in the contest with 21 runs, while Kevin Awino contributed 13, but the damage had already been done. The hosts eventually finished on 74/6 in their 18 overs, falling 18 runs short of Rwanda’s 92/5.
It was another frustrating afternoon for the Victoria Pearls, who had entered the second round full of confidence after their impressive opening run.
But Mbabazi is already looking beyond the disappointment. With the USA standing between Uganda and a place in the final, she wants the team to trust its game plan, play with purpose and make the most of the opportunity.
“So, yeah, Thursday against USA Women we just stick to our plans as a team and hopefully get over the line,” she said.
There is no need for the hosts to look elsewhere for a way back. Their fate remains in their hands, and Thursday against USA offers them the chance to turn a difficult run into a timely response and book their place in the championship match.