Uganda’s Ramiah Bukenya heads into her third day of badminton action at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with everything to play for as she prepares to face Ukraine’s Varvara Poperezhai in the final Group C encounter on Tuesday, November 3.

The stakes are clear for both players. Having each suffered two defeats in their opening group matches, Ramiah and Poperezhai will be looking to turn their fortunes around, with victory offering either player a chance to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Bukenya’s opening encounters have proved challenging, with the Ugandan teenager struggling to find her rhythm against stronger opposition. Her latest outing against Britain’s Rajvi Parab on Monday, November 2, ended in a 2-0 defeat at the Dakar Arena.

It was a difficult afternoon for the Ugandan, who managed just eight points across the two games. Parab dominated the contest, winning the opening game 21-2 before completing the victory with a 21-6 result in the second game.

The match lasted just 19 minutes, with the Briton controlling the exchanges and leaving Bukenya with little room to build momentum. The longest rally lasted 20 seconds, while the average rally lasted eight seconds, reflecting how quickly the points were decided.

Ramiah had also suffered a 2-0 defeat against American Micah Cruz in her other group encounter, leaving her with no victories heading into the final group match.

However, her next opponent finds herself in a remarkably similar position. Ukraine’s Poperezhai has also lost both her opening matches, falling 2-0 to Britain’s Parab and suffering an identical result against American Cruz. This sets up an intriguing meeting between two players who will be desperate to finish their group campaign on a positive note.

For Bukenya, Tuesday’s contest presents an important opportunity to respond after two difficult outings. While her previous results have exposed the challenge of competing at this level, the encounter against Poperezhai offers a different kind of test, with both players carrying the pressure of needing a win.

The Ugandan will need to improve her point construction, show greater composure in the rallies and find ways to stay competitive for longer periods. Having managed only eight points against Parab, a stronger showing in her final group game will be important, regardless of the eventual result.

There is also the psychological challenge of putting the previous defeats behind her. At this level, the ability to recover from setbacks and approach the next match with confidence can make a significant difference. It is no longer just about finishing the group campaign; it is about keeping her progression hopes alive.

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For many children, the East African Badminton Challenge 2026 is a tournament and a chance to leave the classroom, travel to another school, make new friends and test their skills against unfamiliar opponents.

The excitement of boarding a bus with teammates to the Lugogo Indoor Arena, wearing school colours and exploring a new environment makes the competition memorable. Winning a match or a point adds to the thrill, but the experience goes beyond results.

Uganda hosts the Uganda International, Uganda Junior International and Kampala International Future Series, but local tournaments remain limited. The East African Badminton Challenge gives young local players a chance to compete, socialise and develop their love for the game in huge numbers.

Badminton’s fast pace also appeals to children. With lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock flying across the court, the game keeps them moving, running and jumping while having fun.

For some, the tournament is an opportunity to make friends with children from other schools. For others, it is a chance to prove themselves and experience the excitement of competing away from their usual surroundings with some of their stars like Tracy Naluwooza, Sharifah Mbabazi, Muzafaru Lubega, Reagan Nsubuga and many others in different categories but in the same environment.

Behind the action, however, are coaches working to keep the children focused while balancing their own involvement in the sport.

Many senior badminton players who have attended coaching courses have taken up school coaching, helping introduce the game to a younger generation. To be recognised by the federation as a school badminton coach, one must hold a Level One qualification.

Namakoye’s coaching challenges

Mable Namakoye is among those combining coaching with playing experience. A former women’s doubles medallist at the Kampala International Future Series and Uganda International Badminton Series, she now coaches at Olive School Namugongo.

She says working with children during tournaments requires patience, as they constantly seek their coach’s attention.

“Every after 30 seconds, you will hear a shout calling coach,” Namakoye says.

The children are also curious about other players’ performances and often want to know why they cannot play at the same level.

One of her biggest challenges comes when a player is awarded a walkover.

“A child never listens when they are awarded a walkover. They always want to be on court and play since it’s always a roller coaster of games and they are given very little time to play,” she says.

Despite the demands, Namakoye enjoys the children’s willingness to listen as they prepare to enter the court and their eagerness to interact with players from other schools.

Their enthusiasm makes the experience worthwhile, even when keeping everyone organised becomes difficult.

Shelton Tayebwa shares a similar experience. Still an active player, he also coaches badminton at Shree Sahajanand School Uganda.

Their involvement reflects how players can give back to the sport while continuing to pursue their own ambitions.

The children do not necessarily compete in the school categories according to their under-age classifications.

The East African Badminton Challenge features 13 different categories: boys’ and girls’ Under-10, Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19; boys’ and girls’ doubles; Professionals; Corporates; Chinese; Coaches; Indians; Veterans; and Universities.

The tournament brings together participants from different backgrounds, allowing young players to compete and interact with a wider badminton community.

Other former players who have taken up coaching include Allan Nkire, Derrick Odoch, Gerald Katushabe and Adam.

Kabindi backs former players

Uganda national team coach William Kabindi believes former players taking up coaching is good for the sport’s future.

Through his work at Mbogo High School, Kabindi has continued to contribute to developing young players. He says seeing those he has coached pass on their knowledge to children is particularly rewarding.

“For we who love the game, it makes us happy to see players we have coached and nurtured do enough to take the game to the children,” he says.

“This shows that the game has a bright future and a good foundation.”

Kabindi believes players who have competed in badminton bring valuable practical experience to coaching.

“For a person who has played the game and coaches it, it’s different from one who has learnt it theoretically and come into coaching. Therefore, I uphold Mable and Shelton and urge them to continue going,” he says.

However, combining the two roles can affect a player’s performance, particularly when training young children takes up much of their time.

“If you’re a very active player, it’s very hard. If one is training kids, it’s a very good service, but it takes a bit from you,” Kabindi says.

He describes badminton as a muscle-memory game in which repetition helps children develop their skills. While the youngsters benefit from regular practice, coaches who are also active players risk losing some sharpness in their own movement if they neglect personal training.

“Badminton is a muscle-memory game. In that way, the kids gain twice, but it deteriorates the players in movement,” he says.

Coaching offers another opportunity

Despite the challenges, Kabindi says coaching can provide players with an additional source of income to meet the costs of playing badminton.

Some players struggle to afford essentials such as shoes, rackets and food. Coaching gives them an opportunity to earn money while contributing to the sport’s development.

Kabindi also believes the income can help steer young people away from harmful habits, including theft.

For active players, however, coaching must be balanced with personal training.

He says they often have to complete sessions with the children before heading to Mbogo High School or Sharing Youth Centre for their own training.

It means longer days, but the routine allows them to remain active in competition while helping others improve.

The benefits can extend beyond the court. Some schools scout promising players during these tournaments, giving talented children opportunities that could change their lives.

The East African Badminton Challenge offers competition, friendship, winning a trophy or bicycle and a break from the classroom to the youngsters. For Namakoye and Tayebwa, it is a chance to share their knowledge while remaining involved in the game.

The 2026 East Africa Badminton Challenge is currently underway, running from Wednesday, October 14 to Sunday, October 18, 2026. The annual prestigious tournament is being held at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala, Uganda. 

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Uganda’s young shuttlers endured a challenging opening day at the All-Africa Junior (U-19) Badminton Championships 2026 at Cairo Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, October 1, with several players exiting the singles and doubles competitions despite some encouraging performances.

The Ugandan contingent featured in the Under-19 men’s and women’s singles, as well as the doubles events, with Aaron Ndawula, Ramiah Bukenya and Alana Faith Sullo among the players who recorded victories during the opening rounds.

In the men’s singles, Ndawula opened his campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ghana’s Samuel Kote Amasah. After losing the opening game 13-15, Ndawula recovered to take the second 15-13 before completing the comeback with a 15-8 win in the deciding game.

However, his run ended in the round of 16, where he lost to Jonathan Shane in straight games, 5-15, 16-18, despite pushing his opponent in the second game.

Bukenya was another Ugandan to register a victory in the women’s singles, defeating South Africa’s Melay Pretorius 15-12, 15-8 in the round of 32. Her progress, however, was halted in the round of 16 after a 10-15, 15-17 defeat to Elsa How.

Other Ugandan players had difficult starts. Benjamin Ssekanjako lost 1-2 to Algeria’s Mohamed Rayane, while Samuel Bisaso fell 0-2 to India’s Pranav Bhauge. Carton Isakye also exited in the opening round following a 9-15, 3-15 defeat to Egypt’s Karim Wael.

In the women’s singles, Uganda’s Ramiah Bukenya, Alana Faith Sullo and Claire Namirembe featured in the opening rounds, with varying results.

Sullo advanced from her opening match against Fadwa Hachem before losing to Egypt’s Fatema Rabie in the round of 16, 6-15, 4-15. Namirembe, meanwhile, suffered a 2-15, 8-15 defeat to Tiya Bhurtun, while Abigail Ndagire lost to Egypt’s Malika Mohamed, 8-15, 4-15.

Uganda also faced challenges in the doubles competitions, with its representatives unable to progress beyond the opening rounds.

In the men’s doubles, Bisaso and Isakye lost 12-15, 11-15 to Pranav Bhauge and Nyanesh Anand, while Ndawula and Ssekanjako fell 11-15, 13-15 to Egypt’s Osama Sobhy and Karim Wael.

The women’s doubles pairing of Bukenya and Thara Naguja also bowed out after a 7-15, 7-15 defeat to Egypt’s Farida Fikry and Lojaine Wasfy. Namirembe and Ndagire likewise lost to Egypt’s Nour Fikry Elt and Rahima Hussein, 10-15, 6-15.

Despite the early exits in several categories, Ndawula and Bukenya’s opening-round victories provided Uganda with some positive moments on a difficult first day.

The championships continue at Cairo Stadium, with the remaining rounds providing the young players with further opportunities to compete against their continental counterparts.

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