Gaborone, Botswana: Uganda’s 20-year-old badminton star Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi has won gold at the All Africa Senior Badminton Championships in Botswana, becoming the first Ugandan woman to reach the top of the podium at the continental event.
Shamika delivered a commanding performance in the women’s singles final against South Africa’s Johanita Scholtz, a long-time rival and one of the continent’s top-ranked players.
In a tense showdown, Shamika took the opening set 21-17 before Scholtz bounced back to claim the second 21-16.
With the match level, the Ugandan youngster showed grit and composure in the decider, fighting fatigue and pressure to edge out her opponent 21-19 and seal a historic victory.
The triumph handed Uganda its second gold medal at the championships and cemented Shamika’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s rising badminton talents.
Double Medal Haul
Shamika also clinched bronze in the women’s doubles alongside national team captain Tracy Naluwooza. The pair fell in the semifinals to South Africa’s Amy Ackerman and Scholtz, adding another medal to Uganda’s tally.
The gold marks Shamika’s second continental singles crown, having previously won the title in 2023, making her the first Ugandan woman to win two gold medals at the All-Africa Senior Championships.
Uganda fielded a 10-player squad under head coach Frank Muwuluzi, with Naluwooza serving as team captain. While some players exited early and logistical challenges impacted the team events, the championships doubled as qualifiers for the 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup.
The East African country narrowly missed qualification in the team category but leaves Botswana with renewed confidence following Shamika’s standout performance.
Her victory over fourth-ranked Scholtz underlined her mental strength and tactical precision, as she absorbed pressure and executed decisive shots at critical moments.
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