East Africa Badminton Challenge 2026: Nsubuga tames Lubega, Nalumansi retains women’s crown

Reagan Michael Nsubuga stunned favourite Muzafaru Lubega in a thrilling men’s singles final, while Kruthum Nalumansi defended her women’s title as the City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge 2026 ended at Lugogo Indoor Arena on Sunday.

With vuvuzelas blaring and children cheering from the stands, Nsubuga kept his nerve to beat Uganda’s number one, Lubega, in a gripping three-set contest.

Nsubuga, cheered on by students from Mbogo High School, took the first set 21-15. Lubega responded emphatically, winning the second 21-9 to level the match and force a decider.

The final set was a tense affair. Nsubuga edged towards victory at 20-19, but Lubega fought back to make it 20-20, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Badminton requires a player to win by two clear points, meaning neither could afford to relax. Nsubuga eventually found the decisive points to win 22-20 and claim the men’s singles title.

Lubega had arrived at Lugogo as the favourite, but Nsubuga had the final say in a contest that kept spectators on their feet.

In the women’s singles, Nalumansi proved too strong for Tracy Naluwooza, winning 21-4, 21-19 to retain the crown she claimed last year.

With Fadilah Shamika absent, many had tipped Naluwooza to win, but Nalumansi quickly put those expectations to rest. She dominated the opening set before holding off a stronger challenge in the second.

“I am happy to have defended my crown. I won it last year too,” Nalumansi said.

“I am looking forward to improving, and I trust myself to do better each new day,” she added.

Schools battle for honours

The championship also showcased young talent, with players from schools competing in singles and doubles events across different age groups.

Aksam Nsubuga of Ebenezer Junior School won the under-10 boys’ singles, while Kori Adamya of Aga Khan International School finished runner-up. Caroline Namwanja of Greenvalley Primary School, representing Play of Hope, won the under-10 girls’ title ahead of Fatia Nabukenya of Nihad Junior School.

Sofia Nsubuga of Ebenezer Junior School won the under-13 boys’ singles, with Abudallah Hydarry of Zainab Junior School finishing second. In the girls’ event, Blessing Agatesi of Greenvalley Primary School, representing Play of Hope, took the title ahead of Umaimah Nabasirye of Nihad Junior School.

Kinawa High School-Kawempe claimed both top places in the under-15 boys’ singles, with Mushiraf Bashir winning and Kasimbi Brydah finishing runner-up. Divine Mwesigwa of CFK won the girls’ title, while Adlah Muleme of Mbogo High School settled for second.

Eric Ofoyuru of Seroma Christian High School won the under-19 boys’ singles, beating Malik Juma Ahmed of Kibuli Secondary School. Mariam Namutebi of Mbogo High School won the girls’ event, with Malik Juma Zainab of CFK finishing runner-up.

Seroma Christian High School also won the boys’ doubles title for players aged 15-19 through Douglas Awong and Eric Ofoyuru. Kibuli Secondary School’s Malik Juma Ahmed and Lukman Lubwama finished second.

In the girls’ doubles, Kate Ndagire and Kimberly Ssendiwala of Rubaga Girls’ School took the title, while Mbogo High School’s Mariam Namutebi and Bayati Nandagire finished runners-up.

Kibuli Secondary School won the boys’ schools team competition, beating Kinawa High School-Kawempe into second place. Mbogo High School claimed the girls’ team title, with Rubaga Girls’ School finishing runner-up.

The championship also named 10 junior Rising Stars. The boys were Subuhan Raja Azlan, Ethan Ofoyuru, Raheem Abdur, Rharzeen Mauhoub and Getenet Kian. The girls were Bethel Namugerwa, Kirabo Nissi Praise, Mirembe Najja, Subrah Muwonge and Ubayah Juma Nankanjja.

In the university team competition, Ndejje University took the title, with Uganda Christian University finishing second.

International players shine

The Chinese nationals’ category featured five events. Wenle Li won the men’s singles title ahead of Delong Liao, while Yihan Li claimed the women’s singles crown, with Yu Zhang finishing runner-up.

Yongbin Xue was listed as the winner of the men’s doubles, with Lifeng Jiang second. Ruoxia Lu and Yu Zhang won the women’s doubles ahead of Tao Chen and Wenxi Lan. Wenli Li and Yihan Li took the mixed doubles title, while Rao Shawn and Dongmei Xia finished runners-up.

The Indian nationals’ category also produced winners across singles and doubles.

Ayaan Alwani won the men’s singles title for players aged 15-20, ahead of Sameen Salih. Trinadh Vinnakota won the men’s singles for players aged over 20, with Himanshu Yadav finishing second. Dattani Dhruvi claimed the women’s singles title, while Reddy Sunaina was runner-up.

Ayaan Alwani and Akthar Raqib won the men’s doubles for players aged 15-30, beating Ahmed Afeez and Sameen Salih. In the 31-50 category, Nowfal Nazeem and Mohamed Nowfal took the title ahead of Johnson Maria and Thariq Mohamed.

Thomas Biju and Krishnan Naveen won the men’s doubles for players above 50, while Sathick Jahabar and Mubarak Mohamed finished second. Alwani Alayna and Hirani Harshni won the women’s doubles, with Reddy Shruthi and Reddy Sunaina runners-up.

Reddy Shruth and Trinadh Vinnakota won the mixed doubles for players above 25, beating Francis Freejo and Gudeti Raji. In the open veterans’ unisex doubles, Thomas Biju and Krishnan Naveen took the title ahead of William Kabindi and Godfrey Kivumbi.

Nsubuga adds doubles title

Nsubuga’s singles triumph was not his only success in the professional category. Partnering Wasswa Samuel, he won the men’s doubles title, beating Joshua Ekochu and Tendo Mukalazi.

Gladys Mbabazi and Meble Namakoye won the women’s doubles, with Olivia Nakajja and Tracy Naluwooza finishing second.

Lubega also left the tournament with a title. Despite losing the men’s singles final, he teamed up with Mbabazi to win the mixed doubles, beating Oduka Akbar and Nazifah Nakiyemba.

In the coaches’ category, Meble Namakoye won the women’s singles ahead of Fatuma Nabirungi, while Fred Kirabo claimed the men’s title, with Mubiru Adam finishing runner-up.

SR Kuku won the corporate team competition, leaving City Tyres in second place.

Uganda also won the National Challenge category, finishing ahead of India.

The championship brought together junior players, schools, universities, professionals, coaches, veterans and corporate teams. But the closing day belonged to Nsubuga, who upset the country’s top-ranked player, and Nalumansi, who showed she was not ready to surrender her crown.

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