The second day of the Kabaka’s Coronation Badminton Tournament served up more thrilling action at the CFK Badminton Academy in Kisaasi, with players across all age categories battling for honours as the competition gathered momentum.

The day’s proceedings were highlighted by a visit from Robert Sserwanga, the Buganda Kingdom Minister for Youth, Sports and Arts, who officially opened the tournament and commended the growing partnership between the Buganda Kingdom and Badminton Uganda.

Addressing players, officials and spectators, Sserwanga praised the impressive turnout for the second edition of the championship, noting that the tournament has become an important platform for promoting badminton across the country.

“Today we partner with Badminton Uganda to give an opportunity to all badminton players in Uganda to come and enjoy the beautiful game of badminton,” he said.

Although pleased with the participation, the minister encouraged even more clubs and teams to take part in future editions, emphasizing that the tournament caters for players of every generation.

“We have competitions from the Under-10s, Under-13s, Under-15s and Under-19s. We also have professional players, seniors aged between 35 and 50 years, and veterans from 50 to 70 years. I call upon all lovers of badminton not to miss the next edition,” Sserwanga said.

He added that the involvement of corporate partners continues to strengthen the event, making it one of the Kingdom’s flagship sporting celebrations during the three-day commemoration of the 33rd Coronation Anniversary of Kabaka Ronald MuwendaMutebi II.

“May the best team win. Sabasajja Kabaka Awangale,” he concluded.

The tournament, organised through a partnership between Buganda Kingdom and Badminton Uganda, has attracted competitors from across Uganda, with matches being played simultaneously in junior, senior and veteran categories.

Badminton Uganda president Annet Nakamya welcomed the minister’s visit, describing it as a significant boost for the sport and the federation.

“Today marks the second day of the badminton tournament commemorating the coronation of our King, Ronald MuwendaMutebi, who has been on the throne for the last 33 years,” Nakamya said.

“We are really grateful for the opportunity of him coming through despite his busy schedule. For us, it gives us the confidence that we are part of the Kingdom and that we have the Kingdom’s blessing, which reassures us that we are doing the right thing.”

Nakamya also hailed the growth of the competition, saying the increased participation in only its second edition demonstrates the rising popularity of badminton in Uganda.

“We had a big turnout for the second edition, and we are hopeful that we shall continue to be given this opportunity to organise the tournament. We also look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Buganda Kingdom in the years ahead.”

With competitive matches continuing throughout the day, players remained focused on booking places in the decisive stages of the tournament as the celebration of the Kabaka’s 33-year reign continued through sport, unity and community engagement.

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The opening day of the 2026 Kabaka’s 33rd Coronation Badminton Championship lived up to its billing as one of Uganda’s biggest badminton events, with more than 800 players from schools and clubs across the country taking to the courts at the CFK Badminton Academy in Kampala.

Held as part of the celebrations marking the coronation of His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, the three-day championship attracted players across junior, senior, professional and veteran categories, creating a vibrant atmosphere as hundreds of matches were played from morning until late evening. 

Badminton Uganda President, Annet Nakamya, described the impressive turnout as a major milestone for the second edition of the championship, noting that participation had significantly increased from last year’s inaugural event.

Speaking during the opening day, Nakamya thanked the Buganda Kingdom for providing badminton with a platform to celebrate the Kabaka’s reign while also nurturing the next generation of players. She also praised the schools, coaches and parents for supporting the young athletes throughout the tournament.

“This is our second edition. We started last year as we celebrated the coronation of the King. Today we have participants of over 800 athletes and we are really grateful to the Kingdom of Buganda for giving us this opportunity as an individual sport to be part of these celebrations,” Nakamya said.  

Beyond the competition, Nakamya encouraged participants to embrace the championship as a learning opportunity, reminding those who may not finish on the podium that every champion once experienced defeat.

“The person who is winning today lost some time back. So even if you lose on Sunday, go back, work harder and come back better,” she said. 

The opening day featured a packed schedule with preliminary rounds across the Under-10, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19 boys’ and girls’ events, alongside professional, senior and veterans competitions. Hundreds of matches were completed as players battled for places in the later rounds of the championship. 

Among the standout performances in the professional ranks, reigning national stars advanced comfortably. In the men’s singles, Muzafaru Lubega, Tendo Kizito Mukalazi, Ahmed Oduka, Akbar Oduka, Alyaan Mawani, Joshua Ekochu and Michael Reagan Nsubuga all booked places in the quarter-finals after convincing victories. Mukalazi produced one of the day’s most entertaining encounters, recovering from a game down to defeat Rahim Nsubuga 11-15, 15-13, 15-7. 

The women’s singles competition also produced exciting action as Tracy Naluwooza, Olivia Nakajja and Nazifah Nakiyemba progressed to the semifinals. Naluwooza defeated Belinda Nabbumba 15-2, 15-3, while Nakiyemba edged Doreen Akankunda in a thrilling 17-15 second game after taking the first 15-13. 

The junior events showcased the country’s emerging badminton talent, with dozens of youngsters battling through the early knockout rounds in front of enthusiastic parents and coaches. The championship’s large participation reflected the continued growth of school badminton across Uganda. 

For many participants, the tournament was about more than just winning medals. Trisha Rhoda of Mbogo High School said the championship was an opportunity to measure her progress against some of the country’s best players after months of preparation.

“I have been training for this championship for a long time and I’m going to give my best to achieve my target,” she said, adding that the quality of competition had motivated her even further. 

Namata Michelle Tendo of the Janan Schools echoed similar sentiments, saying the tournament had allowed her to reconnect with fellow players from across Uganda while inspiring her to improve.

“I’ve met many colleagues that I’ve seen at different competitions before, and seeing how much they’ve improved has also encouraged me to improve. My aim is to become one of the most well-known badminton players,” she said, while encouraging more young people to take up the sport. 

With the opening day’s action successfully completed, attention now shifts to the decisive knockout rounds as players continue their quest for the prestigious Kabaka’s Coronation Championship titles, with the tournament set to conclude on Sunday.

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Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) president, Francis Orbih has showered encomiums on the country’s physically challenged contingent, after the team returned home with 14 medals from a high profile international competiition in Uganda, Sports247 reports.

Orbih admitted he was delighted with the team’s performance at tht 2026 Para-Badminton International Championship, which ended on Sunday, with Nigeria clinching nine gold and five silver medals, which he reckoned butressed the country’s growing status in Africa.

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Lyka Brown claimed gold in WH1 women’s singles, while Chukwuemeka Ijeoma Gift won the WH2 women’s singles, following which they both partnered to get another gold medal in the WH1/WH2 women’s doubles.

In male wheelchair events, Emmanuel Ifeanacho Ohaeri won gold in WH2 singles and teamed up with Lyka Brown to grab gold in WH1/WH2 mixed doubles, then partnered Ekeoma Samuel to gain silver in the WH1 & WH2 men’s doubles.

Ekeoma Samuel also won silver in WH1 men’s singles and joined Gift to win another silver medal in the WH1/WH2 mixed doubles, while Obinna Precious Nwosu won gold in the SL3 men’s singles’ standing category, as Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka secured silver in the same event.

Nnanna Jeremiah Chigozie captured gold in the SL4 men’s singles and won the SL3 & SU5 men’s doubles with Eze Sunday Chukwuebuka, while Eneojo Elijah Agada claimed gold in the singles event’s SU5 category, then joined Obinna Precious Nwosu to win silver in SL3–SU5 men’s doubles.

Orbih praised all the players for their performances, which he pointed out further boosted Nigeria’s profile in Africa’s para-badminton sector, while also noting that it serves as motivation for more success to come in future continental and global competitions.

“The para-badminton athletes have once again shown that the country can depend on them in terms of winning medals and making Nigerians proud. This current board will continue to support the para-athletes and ensure they get all the necessary support.

“Our target is the Paralympic Games and we want to qualify as many athletes as possible. I also want to thank Abia State Government for sponsoring six players, and Bayelsa State Government as well as Police College Badminton Club Lagos for footing the bills of one player each.”

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