Proscovia Alako believes Uganda’s ability to stay together and build a crucial batting partnership made all the difference as the Victoria Pearls reclaimed the Victoria Series crown with a 19-run victory over Rwanda at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe on Saturday.
After struggling to find their rhythm in the powerplay during previous matches, Uganda’s batters finally found some stability when it mattered most, putting up 94/8 in 20 overs before restricting Rwanda to 75/9 to seal their third title.
Alako, who contributed 25 runs off 27 balls, was pleased that the top order finally stood firm instead of allowing another difficult start to derail the team’s plans.
“What made the difference today is our top order has not been clicking in the powerplay and, like, 10 of us. So today we stuck in, and we had a good partnership,” Alako said after the match.
The victory was particularly sweet after Rwanda had beaten Uganda by 18 runs in their rain-affected, 18-over group-stage meeting on November 11. That defeat had left the hosts with something to prove in the final, having won their first encounter by six runs on November 7.
Alako admitted that putting a competitive total on the board was important, especially after their previous meeting with Rwanda had ended in defeat.
“That’s why we had to score 94; the last time you played Rwanda, the team lost,” she said.
Although Uganda had lost two matches while chasing during the tournament, Alako said the decision to bat first was not necessarily driven by those setbacks. Sometimes, she explained, things simply do not go according to plan.
“Not really. Sometimes it’s just the team plan. Sometimes, you know, sometimes it just doesn’t go our way.
“Maybe some teams, maybe we were also cramped; we cannot chase. But then still, we are still a good team,” she added.
For Alako, the victory was also a reflection of the team’s approach throughout the competition. Rather than introduce anything drastically different, the players followed familiar preparations, with the coach encouraging them to play with freedom, aggression and confidence.
“Basically, it’s just that we always do the same things every time. This time round, the coach just told us to play our game, be aggressive and play ourselves out because it’s just basically the last Women’s T20 game of the year for us, so we came to play with all our hearts today,” she said.
Uganda needed every contribution to get over the line. Alako’s 25 and Stephani Nampiina’s 27 off 47 balls provided the backbone of the innings, while Immaculate Nakisuuyi chipped in with 13 runs as the hosts reached 94/8.
Rwanda’s Marie Diane Bimenyimana gave Uganda plenty to think about, taking four wickets for 19 runs in her four overs, while Alice Ikuzwe picked up two for 25.
But Uganda’s bowlers and fielders responded when it mattered. Asumin Akurut led the charge with three wickets for 11 runs in four overs, while Player of the Match Concy Aweko claimed two for nine. Captain Janet Mbabazi also took two wickets for 13 runs.
Rwanda struggled to find the partnerships needed to keep the chase alive. Fanny Utagushimaninde top-scored with 16 runs, while Gisele Ishimwe and Clarisse Umutoniwase managed 13 each before Uganda closed out the contest at 75/9.
The result secured Uganda’s third Victoria Series title, adding to their successes in 2023 and 2025. Their first crown came after topping the group standings when rain washed out the final against Tanzania. In 2025, they were even more convincing, sweeping Canada 5-0 to lift the trophy.
This year’s success was also a successful defence of the title in the fourth edition of the women’s T20 tournament, which featured Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia and the United States. The inaugural 2019 Victoria Tri-Series had been won by Zimbabwe.
The road to the final had not been straightforward. Uganda and Rwanda finished the six-match group stage level on eight points, each recording four wins and two defeats. Uganda claimed top spot on Net Run Rate, setting up another meeting between the two East African rivals.
Beyond the trophy, Alako was encouraged by how the entire squad contributed during the tournament. She said seeing different players step forward was one of the biggest positives for Uganda.
“I think I would say the whole team, all of them played well.
“It was nice seeing everyone show themselves out there. And I would say congratulations to Uganda first of all,” she said.
There was also individual recognition for the players who stood out during the competition. Uganda’s Stephani Nampiina finished as the tournament’s Best Batter with 153 runs, while Rwanda captain Diane Marie Bimenyimana claimed the Best Bowler award after taking 17 wickets. United States batter Sainavi Kambalapa was named Most Valuable Player with 493 points.
The United States finished third after beating Namibia by 28 runs. Having won the toss and elected to field, Namibia watched the Americans post 111/4 in 20 overs before being bowled out for 83 in 18.1 overs.