Uganda’s Nile Queens have summoned a 22-player provisional squad to camp as they begin the final push for the IHF Nations Trophy Africa Zone 5 Championship, hoping to reclaim a title they last won a decade ago.

The senior women’s national handball team will compete in Kibaha, Tanzania, in a tournament that offers a direct route to the continental phase of the African women’s handball competition.

The championship is scheduled for November 4-8, 2026, and will bring together 10 nations, including some of the region’s strongest sides. Uganda will face Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, host Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan and Somalia.

Head coach Aziz Yakub will oversee the team’s preparations alongside assistant coach Jimmy Remmie Orotin and goalkeeper coach Patrick Ayo at the Old Kampala Arena.

The squad features players across all positions, giving the technical team options as it works to build a side capable of handling the demands of the competition.

Brenda Adokorach, Oliver Robinah Katusiima and Shamim Nakajja are the three goalkeepers summoned.

Mary Akech, Shakira Agarile Bako and Lucky Laker will cover the left-back position, while Gloria Amongi, Aisha Namajja and Claire Tabingwa have been named as centre backs.

Hilda Abangit, Priscillah Aber and Joyce Patience Namutosi are the right backs.

The left-wing department has Barbra Nantume, Aisha Nanyonjo, Eunice Oyella and Royce Namutosi, while Evelyn Aitasi, Patience Damulira and Diana Nakamya will provide options at pivot.

Noelin Amongin, Bella Adams Maishar and Tiane Yvonne Nakirya complete the squad as right wingers.

A title worth chasing

Uganda have good memories of this competition. In 2016, the Nile Queens won the IHF Africa Zone 5B Challenge Trophy after beating Kenya 29-23 in the final at the Uganda Christian University Handball Courts in Mukono.

That remains the team’s only senior women’s Zone 5 title, and the upcoming championship offers another chance to bring the trophy back to Uganda.

However, the task in Tanzania will not be easy. With nine other nations in the field, the Queens will need to be sharp from the opening match and maintain their discipline throughout the tournament.

Preparations are focusing on physical conditioning, tactical organisation, technical execution and team cohesion. The aim is to ensure the players are ready to compete as a unit, rather than relying solely on individual ability.

Winning the Zone 5 championship would earn Uganda a direct ticket to represent the region in the continental phase of the African women’s handball competition. Progress at that stage would open the door to further international opportunities.

Building on continental return

The Tanzania assignment also comes as Uganda seeks to build on its return to the senior continental stage in 2024.

Uganda first competed in the Africa Women’s Senior Handball Nations Cup in 1974, with further appearances in 1976 and 1979. The team then endured a 45-year absence before returning for the 26th edition in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from November 27 to December 7, 2024.

They finished bottom of Group B, after losing all games, but managed to secure 11^th in the classification games after bouncing back to defeat East African Rivals Kenya 34-25.

The return was secured after Uganda finished fifth at the 13th African Games in Ghana, earning qualification for the continental showpiece.

That breakthrough gave the team another opportunity to measure itself against Africa’s best, and the Nations Trophy now provides a fresh challenge as the Queens seek to maintain their progress.