Uganda’s Lady Volleyball Cranes and Kenya’s Wafalme Stars emerged champions of the 2026 CAVB Zone V Nations Championship Qualifiers, earning the region’s sole qualification slots for the upcoming CAVB African Nations Volleyball Championship following an exciting week of action at the Lugogo Indoor Arena in Kampala.
The championship brought together national teams from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan, all competing for the opportunity to represent the region at Africa’s premier national volleyball tournamentS
The women’s championship is scheduled for August 22 to September 5 in Nairobi, Kenya while the men’s will be held in Kinshasa, DR Congo between September 6 and 21.
In the men’s category, Kenya proved a class above the rest, producing a flawless campaign to claim the Zone V title and secure qualification for the continental championship.
The Wafalme Stars opened their tournament with a commanding straight-sets victory over Tanzania before delivering another emphatic 3-0 win against hosts Uganda in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the championship.
The victory over Uganda effectively put Kenya in control of the qualification race and underlined their credentials as the strongest side in the tournament.
Led by standout performers Nicholas Matui, Brian Melly, Denis Ireke, and Levis Ogutu, the Kenyan side maintained an unbeaten record throughout the competition.
Their consistency in attack and organization in defense enabled them to overcome every challenge and ultimately secure the coveted ticket to the African Nations Championship.
The triumph marks an important milestone for Kenya as they continue efforts to re-establish themselves among Africa’s leading volleyball nations.
Volleyball Cranes fall short
For the Uganda Volleyball Cranes, the campaign offered several positives despite the disappointment of missing qualification.
Under head coach Shilla Omuriwe, Uganda registered convincing victories over South Sudan and Tanzania but their hopes of securing qualification were dashed by the defeat to regional rivals Kenya in the decisive match.
While the Cranes fell short of their ultimate objective, the performances displayed throughout the tournament provided encouraging signs for the future as the team continues its rebuilding process.
Uganda’s last outing prior to this was the 2021 CAVB Men’s Nations Championship.
Lady Volleyball Cranes reign supreme
In the women’s competition, the Uganda Lady Volleyball Cranes lived up to expectations by delivering a dominant performance on home soil to capture the Zone V crown.
Uganda began their campaign with a comprehensive straight-sets victory over Burundi before sealing qualification with another commanding win over South Sudan.
Supported by an enthusiastic home crowd at Lugogo, the Lady Cranes, led by team captain Catherine Ainembabazi, ran over their visitors to finish top of the standings and secure the region’s sole qualification slot.
New look team
Following Uganda’s victory over South Sudan, head coach Protus Soita attributed the team’s success to the integration of new players and a renewed team spirit.
‘This time, we wanted to bring in a new team with a new vibe, new energy, and it has paid off,’ Soita said after the match.
The experienced tactician believes the team has the potential to compete strongly at the continental championship, provided they receive adequate preparation before the tournament.
‘What these players need is preparation and having a number of friendlies, then we can get the best out of them,’ he added.
Ainembabazi, Moreen Mwamula, Scovia Alungat, Joan Tushemereirwe and Hadijah Acelun are the players who had been part of the team before.
The new kids on the block, including Katreena Odermatt, Noel Asekenyi, Claire Najjuko and Ketty Aluka all impressed on debut.
Bigger challenge
With the regional qualifiers concluded, attention now shifts to the CAVB African Nations Volleyball Championship which will give Uganda and Kenya the perfect opportunity to test themselves against Africa’s elite volleyball nations.
Kenya’s Wafalme Stars will seek to build on their unbeaten campaign in Kampala and establish themselves as genuine continental contenders.
CAVB Zone V Nations Qualifiers
Dream Team
Men
Best Server: Wilington Talemwa (Uganda)
Best Setter: Brian Melly Kipkirui (Kenya)
Best Middle Blocker: Levis Ogutu (Kenya)
Best Libero: Engambé Igiraneza (Burundi)
Best Opposite: Mohammed Iga (Uganda)
Best Outside Hitter: Hassan Omary Bure (Tanzania)
MVP: Nicholas Matui (Kenya)
Women
Best Server: Emmanuelle Ndayikengurukye (Burundi)
Best Setter: Katreena Odermatt (Uganda)
Best Middle Blocker: Scovia Alungat (Uganda)
Best Libero: Shamira Kalanzi (Uganda)
Best Opposite: Joan Tushemereirwe (Uganda)
Best Outside Hitter: Cecilia Abak Agor (Uganda)
MVP: Joan Tushemereirwe (Uganda)