Glasgow, Scotland: Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team, the Gazelles, continued their dream debut at the 2026 Commonwealth Games by securing a historic place in the semifinals after defeating Tonga 21-12 in their playoff match at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) on Tuesday.
The victory guarantees Uganda a place among the tournament’s final four in their maiden Commonwealth Games appearance and moves the Gazelles to within one win of securing a historic medal.
Uganda progressed to the playoffs after finishing second in Pool A with four victories from five matches, suffering their only defeat against tournament favourites Australia. Tonga had qualified after placing third in Pool B with three wins and two losses.
With a semifinal berth at stake, the Gazelles wasted no time asserting themselves, racing into a commanding 9-3 lead within the opening three minutes before extending their advantage to ten points.
Uganda dominated both ends of the court throughout the contest, capitalising on Tonga’s limited three-player squad to comfortably close out the game and continue their remarkable unbeaten run against every opponent except Australia.
Jane Asinde once again led the charge, finishing with 10 points and six rebounds in another outstanding all-round display.
Melissa Akullu added six points and five rebounds, while Jamila Nansikombi contributed four points, including the game-winning basket that sealed Uganda’s passage to the last four.
The Gazelles will now face unbeaten New Zealand in the semifinals, with victory guaranteeing Uganda at least a silver medal and a place in the gold medal match.
A win would also secure Uganda’s first-ever medal in Commonwealth Games 3×3 basketball, capping a remarkable campaign for a team competing at the Games for the first time.
Athletics disappointment
Elsewhere, Uganda narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s 10,000 metres final at the EDF Scotstoun Stadium. Samuel Simba Cherop was the country’s highest finisher, placing seventh in 27:56.68 while Daniel Kibet finished 11th in 28:05.84, and Oscar Chebet crossed the line in 12th place in 28:10.84.
The trio was unable to extend Uganda’s recent success in the event, meaning Team Uganda will continue its search for another athletics medal as the Games enter their final stages.
Uganda’s impressive performance in Glasgow has already produced memorable moments, including Husnah Kukundakwe’s historic silver medal in para-swimming and the Gazelles’ breakthrough run to the basketball semifinals, underlining Team Uganda’s growing competitiveness on the Commonwealth stage.
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