THE 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and just around the corner. To celebrate, we are previewing each of the competing netball nations and predicting how they might fare in the tournament.

Today it is Uganda, who finished sixth last time around at their very first Games appearance.

The 2018 Games were a bit of a historic one for the Ugandans, as it was the first time they had made an appearance in the netball.

Although losing first up to New Zealand, they went on to beat Malawi, Wales and Scotland to finish sixth on the table. What was even more impressive about their first up efforts was that they missed out on the semi finals on mere goal difference.

Also at the 2019 World Cup, they finished second in their group, only losing to England in the group stage. After losing to Malawi in their semi they went on to finish seventh.

And the good thing (or maybe bad) for the Ugandans is that they do face Malawi again at these games.

The bad news is that both Scotland and Wales are in the other pool and England are not, and regardless, much of the Ugandan team at these games were not at the last games. Only three members of the squad from the last Games (Joan Nampungu, Stella Oyella and Proscovia Peace) are back to compete at these ones.

However, the big positive for the Ugandans is that their shooting circle consists of two of the most in form shooters from this year’s VNSL season in Proscovia and Mary Cholhok. However, both have been playing as the dominant goal shooter, so the question will be who gets the coveted goal shooter and who gets pushed out to goal attack. It is certainly something for coach Fred Mugerwa to have to think about.

The Ugandans are in arguably the tougher pool at these games, but they should be able to easily account for both Trinidad and Tobago and Norther Ireland. New Zealand and England are always going to be tough opponents, but if they can beat Trinidad and Tobago, Northern Ireland and even Malawi, they should at least be able to equal their debut efforts from four years ago. The question will be how they do against Malawi as to whether they can equal that previous effort or not.

SQUAD:

Jessica Achan, Margaret Bagaala, Mary Cholhok Nuba, Irene Eyaru, Norah Lankuse, Hanisha Muhameed, Sandra Nambirige, Shaffie Nalwanja, Joan Nampungu, Shadia Nassanga, Stella Oyella, Proscovia Peace

SCHEDULE:

Saturday 30 July – New Zealand
Sunday 31 July – Trinidad and Tobago
Tuesday 2 August – England
Wednesday 3 August – Northern Ireland
Thursday 4 August – Malawi