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.