Uganda’s men’s national netball team, The Rock, made a statement of intent at the Africa Men’s Netball Championship with a commanding 45–33 victory over hosts Kenya in their opening fixture.
Playing at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi, on Saturday, The Rock produced a composed and tactically disciplined performance to silence the home crowd and begin their campaign with maximum confidence.
Captain Richard Eppa praised the team’s collective execution, highlighting the tactical discipline that underpinned the victory.
“It was a good game, a good display of tactics and technical knowledge. We worked as a team and eventually opened the tournament with an important win,” Eppa said.
The result gives Uganda an early boost ahead of their next assignment against defending champions South Africa, a fixture that will provide a significantly tougher examination of the Ugandan side’s progress.
Head coach Jesse Asiimwe welcomed the opening victory but immediately shifted focus to the challenge ahead.
“I’m glad we have registered a win against the hosts Kenya in our opener. The win means a lot because it gives us momentum ahead of our next game against Africa’s best, South Africa,” Asiimwe said.
He added that the victory should help strengthen the team’s belief as they prepare for another demanding encounter.
The Rock return to action on Sunday at 8:00am, with South Africa standing between Uganda and another potentially significant result.
Uganda are still building their identity on the continental men’s netball stage. The team made its first appearance at the Africa Men’s Netball Championship in 2025 in Lilongwe, Malawi, where they finished fifth.
Their emphatic opening victory over the hosts, however, offers an early indication that The Rock have returned to the continental stage with greater ambition.
