The Victoria Pearls of Uganda continued their dominant form in the 11th edition of the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament with a decisive 20-run victory over Tanzania, extending their unbeaten streak to six matches. After choosing to bat first under clear Kigali skies, Uganda posted 99/6, with captain Janet Mbabazi leading the charge with a composed 34. Tanzania’s bowlers, Neema and Mwananvua, each claimed two wickets and kept the scoring rate modest, but Uganda’s disciplined approach ensured a defendable total.
Tanzania began their chase confidently, reaching 27 without loss in the first six overs. However, Uganda’s bowlers quickly turned the tide. Phiona Kulume, Consy Aweko, Stephanie Nampiina, and Mbabazi executed their spells with precision, dismantling the Tanzanian lineup. The pressure mounted, and Tanzania crumbled to 79 all out in 18 overs. Mbabazi’s all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award, cementing her role as a key figure in Uganda’s flawless campaign.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Zimbabwe’s High Performance Centre (HPC) team cruised to an 89-run victory over Cameroon. After posting a formidable 163/6, Zimbabwe restricted Cameroon to 74/8. While the defeat was comprehensive, Cameroon found a silver lining in their total of 70 runs—a historic moment as they surpassed the 40-run mark for the first time in tournament history. In another game, hosts Rwanda edged past Brazil by defending a modest total of 96, thanks to Rosine Irera’s all-round heroics with both bat and ball.
Nigeria also made a strong statement with a 46-run win over Malawi. Kehinde Amusa was the standout performer, contributing 16 runs and producing excellent bowling figures of 4-0-18-4. Nigeria bowled out Malawi for 61 after setting a target of 107, keeping their semi-final hopes alive in the competitive field.
With the semi-final lineup nearly settled, Uganda sits comfortably at the top of the table, followed by Rwanda in second place. Even if Uganda loses to Nigeria in their final group match, they are guaranteed to finish first. The Victoria Pearls have lit up the tournament with clinical performances, team spirit, and resilient leadership. As the knockout rounds approach, Uganda remains the team to beat in Kigali.
