Once upon a time, Tornado Bee ruled Ugandan cricket with intimidating certainty. Then came the drift years – seasons of rebuilding, near misses and searching for the right blend to return to the top. Now, after nearly a decade away from league glory, the Bees are buzzing loudly again.
Their commanding 78-run victory over a stubborn and star-studded Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC) side at Jinja SS Oval on Sunday officially confirmed Tornado Bee as 2026 Cricket Uganda (CU) Men’s 50-Over Gold Division champions, delivering the club’s fifth major league title and first since 2016.
The triumph capped a season built on depth, planning and collective responsibility rather than dependence on one superstar. Tornado Bees won six of their seven matches to become mathematically uncatchable at the top of the standings on 12 points, staying ahead of closest challengers GM Sugar, who finished on 10 points despite a superior net run rate.
New formula
Club captain Jeremy Kibukamusoke believes the title was the product of a carefully constructed long-term plan rather than a sudden surge. ‘We did well because we trained a lot,’ Kibukamusoke told Daily Monitor.
‘As management, we identified the key areas that needed improvement. Supporting the younger stars coming through and giving them responsibility was important. Players like Anas Baig, Hamid Munigwa and Ismail Munir really stepped up.’
The skipper also pointed to the value of experience within the dressing room.
‘Having experienced Roger Mukasa, Jonathan Ssebanja and Cricket Cranes paceman Cosmas Kyewuta was very important. Mukasa stabilised the batting, Ssebanja contributed as an all-rounder and Kyewuta led the bowling unit very well.’
The experienced core of Akhbar Baig, Sohib Eshan, Nicholas Kebba and John Mpande also helped maintain standards throughout the campaign.
‘Even Dr David Musoke had to get dirty and fit because everyone wanted this title badly,’ Kibukamusoke added with a touch of humour.
Jinja statement
Sunday’s title-clinching performance carried all the hallmarks of champions under pressure. After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Tornado Bee responded with controlled aggression to pile up 296 in 47.5 overs against a dangerous JACC bowling attack.
Veteran Mukasa rolled back the years with a magnificent 83 off 64 balls while Anas Baig blasted a rapid 66 off only 46 deliveries to shift momentum decisively toward the visitors.
Jonathan Ssebanja added a valuable 43 during the middle overs as Tornado Bees continued to punish loose bowling despite resistance from Aloysius Odoi (2/54) and Ivan Baidhu (3/32).
Experience counts
JACC attempted a response through skipper Kenneth Waiswa (63), Johnathan Nyiiro (45) and the unbeaten Aloysius Odoi (47 not out), but the required rate and disciplined Tornado Bee bowling gradually strangled the chase.
Mukasa (0/35 in 10) and Ssebanja (2/41 in 10) ensured the pressure never eased as JACC closed on 218/5 from their 50 overs. The result underlined Tornado Bees’ superiority across the season. Their blend of battle-tested veterans and fearless younger players repeatedly delivered under pressure.
‘We agreed to constantly share ideas on the field and remain united,’ Kibukamusoke explained.
‘We also kept engaging the club owner (William Kibukamusoke) about targets and accountability. Everybody understood the mission.’
Youth rewarded
Perhaps most importantly, the title-winning campaign appears to have strengthened Uganda cricket’s next generation. Kibukamusoke believes the emergence of players such as Hamid and Munir into emerging national team conversations is proof the club’s long-term structure is working.
‘We are happy the plan worked and that we now have breakthrough players pushing toward the national team. We hope Hamid and Munir come into the frame soon,’ he said.
‘Sulieman has also been a key ingredient because of his style of play and his hunger for success.
‘We have been working on the right formula for the last three years and it has finally paid off.’
Others Impress
Elsewhere over the weekend, Kutchi Tigers continued their strong finish to the season with a composed five-wicket victory over Mukono Warriors in Entebbe. Cyrus Kakuru anchored the chase superbly with an unbeaten 77 after Dhansh Jesani and Vekariya Kush Mahesh had each claimed four wickets to restrict Mukono Warriors to 167. In the Silver Division, SKLPS defeated Avengers by four wickets, though Avengers had already secured promotion before the fixture.
Meanwhile, Ismaili Community CC were officially confirmed as Silver Division champions and earned historic promotion to the Gold Division for the first time.
But the weekend and weeks to come, the club Tornado Bee will be in every cricket conversation after the old kings of Ugandan cricket reclaimed their throne after literally 10 years in the wilderness.
CU MEN’S 50-OVER LEAGUE
Results – Gold Division
Tornado Bee 296/10 | JACC 218/5
Tornado Bee won by 78 runs
Mukono Warriors 167/10 Kutchi Tigers 168/5
Kutchi Tigers won by 5 wickets
Results – Silver Division
Avengers 163/10 | SKLPS 164/6
SKLPS won by 4 wickets
THE TALKING POINT
Title Blend. Tornado Bees’ fifth league title was not built around individual brilliance alone but around balance. While Roger Mukasa, Jonathan Ssebanja and Kyewuta Cosmas supplied experience, the emergence of younger players like Anas Baig, Hamid Munigwa and Ismail Munir gave the side renewed energy. Their ability to merge proven leaders with fearless youth ultimately separated them from rivals such as GM Sugar and JACC in a tightly contested Gold Division season.