The success of Uganda’s Cricket teams in 2024 was down to the achievements of 2023 and 2025 is a defining year of Uganda Cricket especially on the international scene.
Three different national teams will be competing for global honours. Baby Cricket Cranes making a trip to Nigeria in March to chase a fourth World Cup appearance in a competitive field, the Cricket Cranes will have to upset the odds again in Zimbabwe in September while the Victoria Pearls will also be chasing a place at the T20 Women’s Global Qualifiers later in the year.
In 2024, Riazat Ali Shah, Aplesh Ramjani, and Henry Ssenyondo were standouts for the Cricket Cranes while Rita Musamali and Immaculate Nakisuyi were outstanding for the Victoria Pearls.
Here are a few names that could light up 2025 for the national teams.
1. Robinson Obuya (Batter, Cricket Cranes)
2024 was a breakout year for Robinson Obuya at the top of Uganda’s batting order. He scored over 383 runs during the year with a healthy strike rate of over 124 and managed at least three half-centuries along the way.
Once given the confidence that he wasn’t playing for his place, Obuya played with a lot of freedom and backed his power in tough situations. He was the constant at the top of the order while the other position kept changing. He compliments the left-handed options of Shrideep Mangela and Simon Ssesazi and if he remains confident, he can cause some good damage at the top of the order. If the hard hitter keeps his form, he will be a key player during the second round of the Challenge League and T20 Africa Finals.
2. Joseph Baguma (Bowling All Rounder, Uganda A/Cricket Cranes)
Baguma is so unfortunate that he is in an era that has Frank Nsubuga. He was impressive as a junior player and he has continued to develop his art but as long as Frank Nsubuga is available it will be hard for him to make a case for himself. He has been given opportunities with the emerging team and a few scattered caps with the senior team but he is yet to feature in a major tournament.
He is starting to hit his peak and he will be beneficial to Uganda Cricket at his peak.
Baguma is a constant reminder that off-spin is not a dying art. He has improved his batting and offers a full package of a bowler who can also contribute with the bat. If it were my decision, I would give him a shot at one of the two remaining rounds of the Challenge League.
3. Gerald Olipa (Batter)
The young batter carried his school on his back during the annual Schools Cricket Week competition in Jinja. Olipa dragged Busoga College Mwiri alone but could not take down defending champions Jinja SSS in the final.
He scored a double-century in the qualifiers, a statement knock that put everyone on notice. He is a young brother to Cricket Cranes All-rounder Rogers Olipa and in a country that suffers from a lack of quality batsmen, it will be the responsibility of the powers that be to look after him. He is in his final year of high school and thereafter he will have enough time to grow his game, a prolific top-order batter Olipa should be someone that coach Abhay Sharma can think about for the future.
4. Irene Mutoni (Bowler, Baby Victoria Pearls)
The Young Female Cricketer of the Year is one for the future. Mutoni featured for the Baby Victoria Pearls at the U-19 World Cup Qualifiers and showed what she can do.
Mutoni was a constant threat to her peers and with some guidance, she could be potent for the Victoria Pearls. She started her sports career as a footballer but once she picked up a cricket ball she never looked back.
5. Naume Mbwali (Wicketkeeper/Batter)
The keeper batter from Masaka SS is a gem after lighting up the Girls’ Schools championship in Soroti last year. Her enterprising style of play has shades of her former schoolmate Proscovia Alako and she is very competent behind the stumps as well. She featured for Pioneer Cricket Club in the local Women’s League and she will be one of the players to watch out for this year.
There are other notable players worth mentioning such as Fortunate Alijuna, Amos Ahura, Paul Mulongo, Ronald Magezi, and Enock Kasaija from the young boys who have shown some great potential and only need opportunities. Gringlish Nabulime, Barbara Nanyanzi, and Ruth Muwanga are worth mentioning as well in the ladies’ game.
Kenneth Waiswa and Pascal Murungi both former captains of the Baby Cricket Cranes should also have great years if they continue to be given opportunities. Murungi has not had many playing opportunities but his commitment to make himself available as well as improve himself should count for something. Waiswa played a great anchor role during the Challenge League and his all-rounder skills will be important for the Cricket Cranes as they push for qualification to the next round of the World Cup Qualifiers.
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