A last-minute rush for passports briefly unsettled some members of the Woodball Cranes as the national team assembled for a one-month residential camp ahead of next month’s World Cup in Malaysia.
The players were officially flagged off on Saturday by Uganda Woodball Federation president Paul Mark Kayongo, with the camp set to be based in Bunjakko, Mpigi.
A valid passport is a compulsory requirement for the training camp ahead of the trip to the July 24-30 World Cup in Perlis, Malaysia, and several players were still working to complete the process as the team prepared to enter camp.
Kayongo said the federation would not compromise on the standards expected of national team players, warning that discipline and adherence to the camp code of conduct would be closely monitored.
‘Selection is only the first step. Wearing the national colours comes with responsibility, discipline and sacrifice. We expect every player to respect the code of conduct, commit fully to the programme and represent Uganda in a manner that protects the image of the federation and the country,’ Kayongo said.
The 2026 World Cup will be the 10th World Cup Woodball Championship and is expected to attract leading players from across the world.
Fresh faces, old lessons
The federation is determined to avoid the uncertainty that surrounded the World Cup preparations in 2024, when the team failed to secure funding for the championship in China.
The frustration and restlessness that followed forced the federation to handpick players for the fourth World Cup Beach Woodball Championship in Rayong, Thailand last year.
That team still delivered results, with Thomas Kedi winning silver in the men’s fairway singles. Jackline Naula took bronze in the women’s singles before partnering Christine Birungi for bronze in the women’s doubles.
This time, the federation opted for more competitive trials, with only Birungi retaining her place from the women’s team and Kedi the sole survivor from the men’s side.
KIU’s growing influence
Kampala International University (KIU) has emerged as one of the biggest contributors to the national team, supplying four players, two men and two women.
Shakira Nagudi, Sanyu Mirembe, Bridge Byamukama and Brian Gwaaka all made the final squad after KIU initially had eight athletes among the 29 participants in the first national trials.
Gwaaka topped the men’s qualifiers with 408 strokes during the non-residential training phase, finishing 28 strokes better than 2024 captain Daniel Apita of Uganda Prisons.
Prisons remain dominant in the men’s category with four players; Isaac Ariho, Samson Rugongeza Isaac Nabugere and Apita.
Byamukama, who qualified as the fourth-best player, described his selection as a reward for a demanding six-weekend routine that saw him shuttle between Rushere-Mbarara, where he works with Tomosi’s Farm, and Kyambogo University Peace Park or Luzira Prisons, for training.
‘It is an absolute honour to represent Uganda. I feel great, but most importantly I thank my teammates, the Spartans and everyone who supported us through this journey,’ Byamukama said.
Woodball Cranes final team
MEN: Brian Gwaaka (KIU), Daniel Apita (Prisons), Thomas Kedi (NCWC), Bridge Byamukama (KIU), Samson Rugongeza (Prisons), Isaac Nabugere (Prisons), David Kabugo (KU), Isaac Ariho (Prisons)
WOMEN: Denise Nanjeru (KYU), Christine Birungi (MOPS), Noeline Babirye (UNIK), Joan Mukoova (MOPS), Joyce Nalubega (MOPS), Mirembe Sanyu (KIU), Florence Mukoya (KU), Shakirah Nagudi (KIU)