The She Cranes are still flying high at lucky number seven, but Uganda’s netball journey to the Commonwealth Games 2026 and the Netball World Cup 2027 is shaping up to be anything but a smooth glide. With the latest World Netball Rankings released yesterday evening, Uganda clings tightly to 7th place , a position that could open golden gates to Glasgow if they play their cards or passes right.
While fans cheered the static rank, the message is clear: seventh is sweet, but sixth is sexier , and fifth is freedom.
According to World Netball, the September 2025 rankings will be the official cut-off for the top 12 teams to secure a ticket to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, while December’s update will deliver a nail-biting climax to determine the first five automatic qualifiers for the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia. If Uganda is not in that elite five come Christmas, the She Cranes will have to dance through the pressure-packed continental qualifiers.
The stakes? Think less “friendly match” and more “Survivor: Court Edition.”
With the clock ticking, all eyes are now on Joseline Uchanda, the relatively new Netball Federation head honcho, tasked with transforming Uganda from perennial invitee to international showstopper. Since assuming office, Uchanda has overseen Uganda’s participation in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup in the UK , a graceful entry, yes , but one Uganda can’t afford to repeat as a mere “invited guest” if serious qualifications are to be claimed.
“In the world of rankings, it’s not who you know, it’s who you beat,” local fan jested in downtown Kampala as he waved a She Cranes jersey like a white flag and rally banner all at once.
Uganda must now lace up and look outwards. Between now and December, they need to secure , and dominate international test matches. In simple terms: play more, win more, and rise faster than a boda-boda on an empty street. Netball is war, and war needs battlefields , not practice courts.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the rankings board, the Isle of Man turned heads by leaping up five spots to 31st, proving that even small islands can shake big ladders. Gibraltar and Northern Ireland saw their ratings climb, though their ranks remain fixed , both teams inching towards big dreams of their own. France, however, took a nosedive, dropping from 31st to 39th after a tragic losing streak, raising questions in baguette and beret circles alike.
Back home, Uganda’s 7th spot is both a badge of honor and a burden of expectation. Will they hold on, climb higher, or slip when it matters most?
To avoid a detour through qualifiers, Uganda must now throw on their most competitive kit, sharpen their shooting, stretch their defense, and most critically , show up on the global stage like they own the court.
Uganda’s She Cranes have the talent, the ranking, and the growing support. What they now need is deliberate international exposure, ruthless execution, and a sprinkle of luck. Because when it comes to global netball, you either rank high, or you try harder.
What’s Next for Uganda?
September 2025: Ranking determines 2026 Commonwealth Games participants
December 2025: Top five rankings secure automatic qualification to 2027 Netball World Cup
Mission for Uganda
Stay in Top 12 by September, rise to Top 5 by December , or prepare for continental qualifiers.
Final Whistle
Can the She Cranes rise from seventh heaven to global glory?
Or will December find them praying for qualifiers and a second chance?
The players have to stay anticipative, the game is far from over , and Uganda has everything to play for considering organization.
