Gahanga, Rwanda – June 14, 2025
The final day of the 2025 Kwibuka Women’s T20i tournament delivered a major surprise as Tanzania defied expectations to lift the championship, defeating Zimbabwe High Performance Centre (HPC) by 20 runs. The anticipated final between East African rivals Uganda and Rwanda turned into a third-place playoff, which Uganda-Women won by 20 runs to claim bronze. Uganda posted 107/5, with Esther Iloku scoring 23 and Immaculate Nakisuyi adding 29. Rwanda’s reply of 87/7 fell short, sealing a consolation win for the Victoria Pearls.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the final, Uganda showcased strong individual performances. Sarah Tino was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after registering 4/20 and a performance rating of 5.47 points. Rwanda’s Ishimwe Henriette Theresa emerged as the top bowler with 20 wickets in 10 matches and an economy rate of 4.44. Ugandan bowlers Stephanie Nampiina and Janet Mbabazi also impressed, claiming 14 and 15 wickets respectively, with standout figures of 6/8 and 4/16.
The 2025 edition marked the 10th anniversary of the Kwibuka tournament, a platform for remembrance and unity through sport. With this year’s title, Tanzania joined the champions’ circle alongside Kenya (4 titles), Uganda (3), and Rwanda (1). Their victory further reinforces the growth and unpredictability of women’s cricket in the region, as newer teams continue to rise and challenge established sides.
Uganda’s campaign, however, drew criticism from fans and analysts. Long-time supporter Omario Wakanda expressed frustration with the team’s strategic execution. “As a committed fan of Victoria Pearls, I failed to find a reason as to why we declined from top to bottom,” he said at Gahanga Cricket Oval. “Analysts and coaches should come out and explain. Cricket is a game of brains—why didn’t they guide the players properly?” Losses to Rwanda and Nigeria earlier in the tournament nearly dropped Uganda from 17th to 18th in the global rankings.
While the final match may not have delivered the highly anticipated East African showdown, the Kwibuka T20i once again demonstrated the rising quality of women’s cricket across the continent. With stellar performances, emerging talents, and passionate fan engagement, the tournament cemented its reputation as a key fixture in the African cricket calendar, blending remembrance, resilience, and regional rivalry.
