KAMPALA — Reagan Michael Nsubuga delivered the standout performance of the 2026 City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge, dethroning defending champion and top seed Muzafaru Lubeega in the Professional Men’s Singles final at Lugogo Arena on Sunday.
Nsubuga’s victory provided the tournament’s biggest talking point, denying Lubeega a successful title defence after the latter’s triumph in last year’s edition.
However, Lubeega still had reason to celebrate, partnering Gladys Mbabazi to win the Professional Mixed Doubles title in a fiercely contested three-game final against Oduka Alizar and Nusifah Nakiyemba.
Lubeega and Mbabazi prevailed 21-13, 9-21, 21-10, recovering from a second-game setback to seal the crown and cap their campaign with a commanding performance.
The pair had earlier negotiated a difficult semi-final against Chinese duo Wenle Li and Delong Liao to book their place in the final.
In another Professional Men’s Singles final, Dattani Dhruvi of COM defeated Reddy Surasina 21-12, 21-13 to claim the title, while Kruthum Nalamansi of CFK overcame Tracy Naluwooza to win the Professional Women’s Singles crown.
The professional division offered the tournament’s biggest financial incentives, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each earning Shs1 million.
Winners in the respective doubles categories were entitled to Shs900,000, while runners-up received Shs700,000.
Medals and trophies were also awarded to the respective winners.
Beyond the professional competition, the championships showcased the tournament’s international reach and competitive depth, with the Indian Nationals, Chinese Nationals and Veterans categories producing several closely contested finals.
Thomas Biju and Krishnan Naveen emerged as double winners, claiming the Indian Nationals Men’s Doubles (50+) title with a 21-19, 21-19 victory over Sathick Jabar and Mubarak Mohamed before securing the Veterans Unisex Doubles crown, defeating William Kabindi and Godfrey Kivumbi 21-15, 21-15.
In the Chinese Nationals Mixed Doubles (25+) final, Wenle Li and Yihan Li defeated Rao Shawn and Dongmei Xia 15-8, 15-8, adding another international dimension to the competition.
The Indian Nationals Women’s Doubles title went to Gladys Mbabazi and Neble Namakoye, who beat Olivia Nakalija and Tracy Nalwoso 21-14, 21-14. Roddy Shruthi and Trinadh Vinnakota also claimed the Indian Nationals Mixed Doubles (25+) crown after overcoming Francis Freigo and Gudedi Raji 15-11, 15-10.
In the Chinese Nationals Men’s Doubles final, Q Bruce and Xiaoxi Lou defeated Lifeng Jiang and Yongbin Xue 16-14, 15-7.
Schools showcase emerging talent
The school competition provided another highlight, with players from Mbogo High School, Seroma Christian High School and Kibuli Secondary School featuring prominently among the junior singles winners.
Mbogo’s Alekan Nsubuga defeated Kori Adam, while Sofian Nsubuga overcame Mbogo Abubakari Hydairy. Eric Okyere of Seroma Christian High School also claimed victory against Malik Juma Ahmed of Kibuli Secondary School.
The Mbogo High School girls’ singles finals produced four winners: Mariam Namutebi, Divine Mwesigwa, Blessing Agassi and Caroline Namwanda, who defeated their respective opponents.
The junior contests underlined the importance of school badminton in nurturing emerging talent and broadening the sport’s competitive base.
This year’s edition attracted approximately 1,500 participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, China and India, reinforcing the event’s growing regional and international appeal.
With a blend of professional excellence, international participation, veterans’ competition and school-level talent, the 2026 City Tyres East Africa Badminton Challenge concluded on a high note, leaving Nsubuga’s breakthrough triumph over defending champion Lubeega as its defining moment.
CITY TYRES EAST AFRICA BADMINTON CHALLENGE 2026
FULL FINAL RESULTS – SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 2026
1. PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY
Men’s Singles (MS) – Final
Reagan Michael Nsubuga defeated Muzafaru Lubeega.
Dattani Dhruvi (COM) defeated Reddy Surasina, 21–12, 21–13.
Women’s Singles (WS) – Final
– Kruthum Nalamansi (CFK) defeated Tracy Naluwooza.
Mixed Doubles (XD) – Final
– Muzafaru Lubeega and Gladys Mbabazi defeated Oduka Alizar and Nusifah Nakiyemba, 21–13, 9–21, 21–10.
Mixed Doubles (XD) – Semi-final
– Wenle Li and Delong Liao vs Muzafaru Lubeega and Gladys Mbabazi. Result not provided.
2. OTHER CATEGORIES
Indian Nationals
Men’s Doubles (MD) – 50+ Final
– Thomas Biju and Krishnan Naveen defeated Sathick Jabar and Mubarak Mohamed, 21–19, 21–19.
Women’s Doubles (WD) – Final
– Gladys Mbabazi and Neble Namakoye defeated Olivia Nakalija and Tracy Nalwoso, 21–14, 21–14.
Mixed Doubles (XD) – 25+ Final
– Roddy Shruthi and Trinadh Vinnakota defeated Francis Freigo and Gudedi Raji, 15–11, 15–10.
Men’s Singles (MS) – Final
Men’s Singles (MS) – Final
– Score: 21–15, 21–13. Players’ names not provided.
Chinese Nationals
Mixed Doubles (XD) – 25 Final
– Wenle Li and Yihan Li defeated Rao Shawn and Dongmei Xia, 15–8, 15–8.
Men’s Singles (MS) – Final
– Yihan Li defeated Yu Zhang. Score not provided.
Men’s Doubles (MD) – Final
– Q Bruce and Xiaoxi Lou defeated Lifeng Jiang and Yongbin Xue, 16–14, 15–7.
SCHOOL CATEGORIES
Mbogo High School – Girls’ Singles (GS) Finals
Mariam Namutebi defeated Malik Juma Zainab.
Divine Mwesigwa defeated Adah Muleme.
Blessing Agassi defeated Umainah Nabasiye.
Caroline Namwanda defeated Faisa Nabukenya.
Mbogo / Seroma – Men’s Singles (MS) Finals
Alekan Nsubuga defeated Kori Adam.
Sofian Nsubuga defeated Mbogo Abubakari Hydairy.
Eric Okyere (Seroma Christian High School) defeated Malik Juma Ahmed (Kibuli Secondary School).
