Glasgow, Scotland: Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team, the Gazelles, produced one of the greatest achievements in the country’s basketball history after winning a historic silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Ugandan basketball team ever to reach the podium at the Games.
The Gazelles fell 21-11 to defending champions Australia in Wednesday’s gold medal match, but their remarkable run secured Uganda’s second silver medal of the Glasgow Games following Husnah Kukundakwe’s silver in para-swimming earlier this week.
The result also made Uganda the first African nation to win a Commonwealth Games medal in women’s 3×3 basketball, cementing the team’s place in the country’s sporting history.
Led by coach Nicholas Natuhereza, the quartet of Jane Asinde, Melissa Akullu, Jamila Nansikombi and Perus Nyamwenge exceeded all expectations in their maiden Commonwealth Games appearance.
A remarkable journey to the final
Uganda announced itself as a genuine title contender from the opening day by winning all three of its Group A matches.
The Gazelles edged Jamaica 18-17 in a thrilling overtime encounter after Jamila Nansikombi calmly converted the winning free throw before cruising past the Cayman Islands 21-7, with Melissa Akullu dominating the contest with 10 points and nine rebounds.
They completed a perfect opening day by dismantling regional rivals Kenya 21-5, with Jane Asinde scoring 10 points in a commanding performance.
After a rest day, Uganda returned to beat Fiji and move within touching distance of the knockout rounds before suffering their only group-stage defeat, losing 21-9 to eventual champions Australia.
That result left Uganda second in Group A with an impressive 4-1 record, setting up a playoff against Tonga. The Gazelles comfortably dispatched Tonga 21-12 to reach the semifinals.
Against previously unbeaten New Zealand, Uganda delivered arguably its finest performance of the tournament.
The Gazelles overwhelmed the Kiwis 21-9, defending brilliantly while limiting New Zealand to just one successful two-point shot from 14 attempts.
Jane Asinde and Melissa Akullu scored eight points apiece, while Perus Nyamwenge and Jamila Nansikombi combined for five points to send Uganda into its first-ever Commonwealth Games basketball final.
Australia retain gold
In the championship match, Australia once again demonstrated why they remain the dominant force in Commonwealth 3×3 basketball. The defending champions gradually pulled away before completing a 21-11 victory to retain their title.
Despite the defeat, Uganda left Glasgow having defeated Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Kenya, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, producing one of the country’s greatest basketball campaigns.
The silver medal represents Uganda’s highest-ever finish in Commonwealth Games basketball and further underlines the rapid rise of women’s basketball in the country.
She Cranes bow out with heads held high
Meanwhile, Uganda’s She Cranes narrowly missed out on the netball semifinals despite an impressive campaign against some of the world’s strongest teams.
Uganda opened Pool B with a 59-50 victory over Wales before thrashing Trinidad and Tobago 80-34.
The She Cranes then pushed world No. 4 Jamaica in a narrow 55-49 defeat before giving world No. 2 New Zealand a stern test in a 58-50 loss.
Against the Silver Ferns, Uganda trailed by just one goal after the opening quarter (15-14) and remained within three goals at halftime (28-25) before New Zealand’s superior squad depth proved decisive in the third quarter.
Mary Cholhok once again led Uganda’s scoring, while Gloria Ayaa impressed defensively with crucial interceptions and relentless pressure.
Despite missing the semifinals, Uganda demonstrated its continued growth as one of the world’s emerging netball powers and will conclude its campaign against hosts Scotland on Thursday, with third place in Pool B still at stake.
Batte exits as Kukundakwe eyes another medal
Elsewhere, Uganda’s boxing captain Nuhu Batte exited the men’s 65kg competition after losing his quarterfinal bout to Patris Mughalzai.
In swimming, Husnah Kukundakwe kept Uganda’s medal hopes alive after qualifying for the S9 women’s 100m freestyle final, where she will be chasing her second medal of the Games.
Kukundakwe had already made history by winning silver in the SB8 women’s 100m breaststroke, Uganda’s first medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
With the Gazelles’ historic silver and Kukundakwe’s podium finish, Team Uganda continues to enjoy one of its most memorable Commonwealth Games campaigns.
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