Uganda’s National netball team, the She Cranes, officially named its final 12-player squad to contest the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. In this, 7 players who double as basketball players in the league, were named.

Coming off a historic fifth-place finish at the Birmingham Games, the team finalized its roster following an intense training camp and a high-stakes three-match series against South Africa’s Spar Proteas.

Led by Head Coach Rashid Mubiru, the final squad relies heavily on proven international star power mixed with dynamic local standouts. Elite UK-based shooting giants Mary Nuba Cholhok and Hanisha Muhameed headline the team, star center Margaret Bagaala running the mid-court.

Group Stage

The netball competition will run from July 25th to August 2nd, 2026, inside the Hydro Arena at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC). Uganda lines up in a highly competitive Pool B with New Zealand, Jamaica, Wales, Scotland, and Trinidad & Tobago. The top 2 teams will be advancing to the semifinals and given the competition in pool B, it will be very interesting to see who advances.

Squad

• Mary Nuba Cholhok
• Hanisha Muhameed
• Shadiah Nassanga*
• Rachael Nannyonga*
• Margaret Baagala *
• Lillian Achola
• Alice Winnie Isoto*
• Mercy Batamuliza*
• Nasimu Mutesi*
• Shaffie Nalwanja
• JoanRyekoboth
• GloriaAyaa*

Players who double as basketball players (*)

Shadiah Nassanga is one of the most lethal goal shooters in Uganda. She also plays for the JKL Lady Dolphins and was key pillar in their championship charge in 2025. She missed a large chunk of the 2026 season after getting a deal in Malaysia and did not participate in the playoffs as the Lady Dolphins got swept by the JT Lady Jaguars.

Rachael Nanyonga is a veteran player in both netball and basketball. She will captain the She Cranes in Glasgow but on the basketball side, she is currently playing for Pearl Queens after leaving the KIU Rangers were she spent most of her career.

Margaret Bagaala is regarded as one of if not the best center (netball) in Africa. She is a key player for the She Cranes and always delivers. In basketball, she plays for the KCCA Leopards and she will be a very big miss for them in the semi-finals.

Alice Winnie Isoto is a lanky player that transferred from the UCU Lady Canons to the Miracle Eaglets. Given her height, she has been a key contributor in terms of rebounding and helped the Eaglets a big deal.

Nassimu Mutesi played in the NBL for the UPDF Lady Tomahawks before moving to Russia for her Masters in Sports Administration. Having completed the course. There is a possibility that she will return to the basketball court soon.

Gloria Ayaa is one of the best rebounders in the FUBA Division One. She uses her height, instincts and game reading to secure rebounds , deflect persons and get steals. She plays for Kampala University who are currently in second place.

Mercy Batamuliza was named the best rebounder of the 2025 season and was also in the team of the season. In 2026, she averaged over 11 rebounds in the regular season and her numbers were staggering. She plays for the JT Lady Jaguars who finished as the number one seed after the regular season and will be a big miss in the semi-finals. The lady jaguars are set to face the Magic Stormers.