The 2025 Women’s Uganda Cup reaches its climax on Saturday as holders Nile Rapids battle She-Wolves at Namboole but the road to the final has exposed deep cracks in the women’s game.
What should have been a celebration of growth instead unfolded under the weight of withdrawals and financial strain.
Powerhouses Thunderbirds and Black Pearls pulled out before kickoff, citing lack of funds and squads depleted by academic commitments.
However, from this shortfalls, there has risen one of the Cup’s fairy tales. She-Wolves, a youthful side from Mbale, have turned adversity into momentum and now stand 80 minutes from a first-ever national title.
She-Wolves’ path
Their journey began in turbulence with a narrow 13-15 loss to Ewes in the group stage, followed by an extraordinary 100-0 demolition of Kigezi Queens before falling 5-24 to Avengers.
But the turning point came in the semifinal, where they stunned favourites Panthers 10-5, coming from a try down to win through tries by Brenda Miama and Jane Aguti despite missing several players in Dubai for the Emirates Sevens.
Their run has been driven by the electric Gladys Wilembe, the tournament’s top try scorer with eight tries and 40 points and the relentless Habiba Namalembe, who has touched down five times. But behind the numbers lies a starker truth.
Head coach Hamis Katumba revealed the harsh realities his team faces, now operating with a skeletal committee under chairman David Wasyeba.
‘At times it felt like the girls were carrying more than they could manage but they get through,’ Katumba said. On material shortages, he added, ‘Some of our girls don’t even have boots, others are torn or use canvass like in our semifinal. I fear they may walk onto a national final barefoot unless help arrives.’
However, he remains proud of their spirit.
‘Despite all this, they fight, they learn and they never give up. This semifinal showed what we can do when we come together as a team.’
Tina’s Rapids
She-Wolves will face Tina Akello and the defending champions Nile Rapids who also endured a rugged path.
They opened with a 12-16 loss to Panthers, bounced back 29-0 against Mbale Eagles and survived a dramatic 24-22 semifinal comeback against Avengers, with Minat Namono racing 60-metres for a try as Akello’s conversion secured the win.
Internal wrangles with the Hippos split tested the team emotionally, strained them financially and challenged their unity.
‘It has been quite tough. at some point I had to be the father and tell the girls we can still do it,’ their head coach Ronald Odakai reflected.
.’The players have learned that amidst the good things, there are storms that come and they must work through them together as sisters. Winning last weekend has motivated them a lot. it has been an amazing experience of learning,’ he added.
At 2pm, the whistle will decide which team emerges from adversity as champions but before that, Uganda U-17 and U-20s will battle in exhibition matches.
2025 Uganda Cup – final fixtures
Curtain raisers
Uganda U17 A vs. Uganda U17 B, 10am
Uganda U20 A vs. Uganda U20 B, 12pm
Women’s final: Nile Rapids vs. She-Wolves, 2pm
Men’s final: Heathens vs. Pirates, 4pm