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Shadia Nassanga did not grow up dreaming of magazine covers, medals, or history.
Her journey began with boredom, her sister Hajara Ssegujja, and a dusty village netball court. One simple request to tag along changed everything. At the time, Nassanga knew nothing about netball.
Her sister did. That afternoon, curiosity turned into fascination, and fascination hardened into obsession. She returned to the court again and again—alone—shooting until the sun dipped low. What looked like play was actually purpose quietly taking shape.
Her teenage physique stood out. Coaches noticed immediately. She was always fielded. By the time she completed Primary Seven at Kidawalime Preparatory School, Nassanga had become the most talked-about netball prospect in Wakiso district.
Secondary schools lined up, eager to secure her signature. One man, however, was relentless. Richard Ssentongo had identified her talent early and convinced her to join Exodus secondary school. There, Nassanga was forged by discipline as much as skill.
She laughs now at the memory of how strict he was, but never downplays the impact. The structure, the punishment, the constant demand for excellence shaped her mentality.
“I was fat and slow,” she says openly. “Coach decided I should focus on goal attack and shooting. It needed less movement but perfect accuracy. I spent most of my time just shooting.”
Ssentongo’s belief bordered on prophecy. He reminded her daily that she would play for Uganda—and that their journey would be remembered together. As competition increased, netball stopped being a sport and became her identity.
“It was like a drug,” Nassanga admits. “Netball paid my school fees. It took me through secondary school and all the way to campus. I lived it. I dreamed it.” Medals followed—bronze and silver piling up—but gold remained elusive. The hunger only grew.
Still in Senior Three, she earned a call- up to the KCCA Netball Team alongside Tina Nakitto. Together, they transformed the side into a dominant force, setting standards that league teams across the country soon tried to replicate.
When Ssentongo moved to St. Mary’s Secondary School in Kitende as head coach, Nassanga followed. In Senior Six, her patience was finally rewarded. Kitende defeated arch-rivals Budo Secondary School to win the National Schools Championship. The gold she craved was finally hers.
She later joined Victoria University on a sports scholarship, graduating with an Honours degree in Business Administration. Born to the late Yahaya Ssegujja and Ms Janet Kalule, Nassanga is the third-born among five sisters—raised in an environment where resilience and competition were daily lessons.
In 2024, Nassanga stumbled into another destiny. While supporting her friend Mercy Batamuliza during a basketball game for JT Jaguars, she caught the attention of Fredricks ‘Freedom’ Owora, manager of the JKL Lady Dolphins.
A conversation turned into an invitation. Curiosity did the rest.
“I was signed after one training session,” she says. “Yet I didn’t know anything about basketball.”
Her netball instincts translated quickly. That same year, the Dolphins lifted the Fuba Women’s National League title. Nassanga played a minor role—but belief had been planted. By the 2025 finals, belief had become authority.
FLAG BEARER
She averaged 12 points in 18 minutes as the Dolphins defeated JT Jaguars 4–1 in the seven-game finals series to retain the FUBA Women’s National Basketball League title. Two championships in two seasons confirmed her status as a rare dual-sport force.
On the international stage, Nassanga’s influence grew louder. She led the She Cranes to Celtic Cup glory in Scotland, securing Uganda qualification for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney.
Later that year, Uganda finished runners-up at the Africa Netball Championship in Malawi, falling only to South Africa. The result elevated the She Cranes to second in Africa and sixth in the world—with Nassanga as their offensive cornerstone.
Then came a moment that etched her name into Ugandan netball folklore. On December 29, 2025, at Nakivubo Memorial Stadium, KCCA defeated Prisons 44–41 to win their first league title in 42 years.
Nassanga scored an astonishing 38 goals. She was named Fortebet Sports Personality of the Month.
“Allah is the greatest of all,” she said through tears. “We have cried, fallen, and worked so hard. KCCA has given me everything since I was a little girl. Winning this for them means everything.” Coach Fred Mugerwa was unequivocal.
“She has all the right attributes. This is only the beginning.” With the Commonwealth Games in Scotland ahead this June, Nassanga has already begun preparing. She has hired a fitness and conditioning coach, determined to meet the physical demands of competing at elite level in both netball and basketball.
“When I am called upon, I will be ready to give my all for my country,” she says.
Her message for the year ahead is simple. Fearless. Unapologetic. “Whatever challenges and dreams may come in 2026, I am ready. Let’s go.”
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