The euphoric scenes that engulfed Hamz stadium, Nakivubo, were a reminder of how long it has taken KCCA netball club to celebrate the league success.
The KCCA ladies defeated Prisons 44-41 on the final day of the season on December 29, 2025. Two goals in the fourth quarter by Shadia Nassanga and one by Mercy Batamuliza were enough to give KCCA its first league title after 42 years.
KCCA needed a win to be declared champions, and the girls did exactly that, ending National Insurance Corporation (NIC)’s dominance, which would have taken the insurers to 22 league titles since 1995. Notably, KCCA defeated NIC home and away.
Had KCCA dropped a point against Prisons, the trophy would have gone to NIC, who had earlier in the day been awarded two points and 60 goals by the league organisers after the failure by Uganda Christian University (UCU) to turn up for their league fixture.
Interestingly, KCCA’s celebrations got held up due to the absence of the league trophy. The new champions lost only one game against UCU and drew one against Prisons all season.
Their coach Fred Mugerwa had every reason to celebrate. This was his first club championship in his netball coaching career at club level. In Mugerwa, KCCA has a leader, strategist and inspirer.
He has made players better, whether they were recruited by him or those he found at the club. His experience and performance are the reasons why he ended his club’s jinx.
SHE CRANES INFLUENCE
During the season, KCCA lost the services of She Cranes skipper and shooter Irene Eyaru, who reportedly relocated to the United Kingdom. The club put their faith in She Cranes star players like shooters Shadia Nassanga and Mercy Batamuliza, wing attacker Lunkuse, and defenders Christine Nakitto and Shaffie Nalwanja.
Nassanga and Nalwanja played a key role in the She Cranes team, which won the Celtic Netball Cup title in Scotland in November last year. The two also guided the She Cranes to finish as runners-up in the Africa Netball Champions held in Malawi in December last year.
The She Cranes players teamed up with the likes of Faisha Nakazibwe, Annet Najjuka, Natasha Immaculate, Hafsha Namukose, Brenda Nakazibwe, Esther Ampaire, Flavia Kitimbo and Shamim Nabunya to make history.
Another big factor is the institution, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), which facilitated the team financially.
1983 VICTORIOUS TEAM
History takes us back to 1983 when KCCA last won the netball league title. The victorious 1983 side was under the tutelage of the elegant Faith Were. This great team had top shooters such as Suzan Okello, Night Bakaluba, Fatia Kitaka and Amina Solomon. Oth-
ers included Rehema Kakooza, Betty Nsereko, Norah Kintu, Christine Kabanda, Margaret Ndaula, Bisereko Margaret and Dorah Kintu.
After the retirement of the KCCA old guard in 1993, the club was weakened. In 1994, the team pulled out of the league, citing ‘lack of funds. However, one of the KCCA officials, Rebbecca Kavulu, used her influence in the institution to resume facilitation to the club.
Although the team in the top-tier league, they were pretty much the definition of a mid-table side. Well, that was until their December 29 triumph that ended a 42-year jinx.
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