Uganda's She Cranes reclaimed the Africa Netball Crown on Saturday with a 56-53 victory over defending champions South Africa's SPAR Proteas in the final at Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi.
The unbeaten eight-day campaign returned Uganda to the top of continental netball ahead of the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Margret Baagala was named Best Midcourt Player of the Tournament for the third consecutive edition after earlier wins in 2024 and 2025.
The KCCA Netball Club star posted on X celebrating the historic hat-trick of individual honours.
Baagala's composure and distribution in the centre were the engine behind the flawless run.
Her trophy cabinet includes Best Seven of the Tournament and Best Centre Player in 2024 and 2025 plus MVP honours at the 2024 Netball Fast Five Series against Jamaica.
She also earned Player of the Week awards in multiple rounds of the Uganda Women's National Basketball League for KCCA Leopards across 2025 and 2026.
Teammate Shadiah Nassanga Ssegujja completed a golden tournament for the Ugandan camp by winning both Best Shooter and Overall Player of the Tournament.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is whether Baagala's dual-code excellence makes her Uganda's most versatile female athlete right now.
Final result
- She Cranes 56-53 SPAR Proteas
- Venue: Kasarani Indoor Arena, Nairobi
- Tournament: 2026 Africa Netball Cup
Individual awards
- Best Midcourt Player: Margret Baagala (third straight)
- Best Shooter: Shadiah Nassanga Ssegujja
- Overall Player of the Tournament: Shadiah Nassanga Ssegujja
Uganda's campaign
- Unbeaten across eight days
- Reclaimed continental title
- Building towards 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney
Source: Kawowo Sports
