Irera proud of Rwanda despite Victoria Series final heartbreak

Rosine Irera may not have been celebrating after Rwanda’s defeat to Uganda in the 2026 Victoria Series final, but the captain had every reason to be proud of how her team fought their way through the tournament.

Rwanda came close to ending Uganda’s reign but fell 19 runs short at the Lakeside Oval in Entebbe on Saturday, November 14, after failing to chase a target of 95, finishing on 75 for nine.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the trophy, Irera chose to focus on her team’s resilience, particularly after a difficult spell in the competition.

“We can’t be saying that we are feeling good, but we are very proud of ourselves because we started well for the first game, but the following two were just under the pump. But we were good enough to stand up for the country,” Irera said.

Rwanda had worked hard to reach the final and wanted to make the opportunity count. However, Uganda had other ideas, producing a disciplined performance to retain the crown they won in 2025.

Irera acknowledged that the result did not go Rwanda’s way but was quick to give her players credit for the fight they showed, while also recognising Uganda’s performance.

“We tried very hard to be in the final, but the result didn’t go in our way. However, we give credit to all our players, the way we fought and the bounce back, but also Uganda played well today to get this victory,” she added.

For Irera, one of the biggest differences was Uganda’s ability to post a competitive total despite losing wickets towards the end of their innings.

After winning the toss, Uganda captain Janet Mbabazi elected to bat, but Rwanda made an early breakthrough when Diane Marie Bimenyimana trapped her lbw for eight in the fifth over, with Uganda on 17.

Stephanie Nampiina and Proscovia Alako then took charge, putting together 45 runs for the second wicket. Alako struck three boundaries in her 25 off 27 balls before being caught by Henriette Ishimwe off Alice Ikuzwe.

Uganda were comfortably placed at 62 for one before the innings suddenly fell apart. Alako’s dismissal was followed by Rita Musamali’s first-ball duck and Nampiina’s departure for 27 off 47 deliveries, caught by Uwase off Bimenyimana.

Immaculate Nakisuuyi added 13 off 11 balls, but two run-outs in the final over left Uganda with 94 for eight.

Bimenyimana was Rwanda’s standout bowler, taking four wickets for 19 runs in her four overs. Ishimwe also impressed with 13 runs conceded in four overs, including a maiden, while running out Kevin Awino and Malisa Ariokot.

Although Uganda did not post a particularly big total, Irera felt it was enough to put the hosts in a strong position, especially considering the quality of their bowling attack.

“If you go to the performance, I will say the batters of Uganda did a very good job because we’ve seen that 90s and if the team managed to pass 95, it’s a very good total to defend,” she said.

Rwanda needed 95 runs at 4.75 an over, and for a while, the chase looked achievable.

Fanny Utagushimaninde scored 16 before being caught by Alako off Mbabazi in the sixth over, with the score at 25 for one. Akurut then removed Gisele Ishimwe for 13 to leave Rwanda at 37 for two.

At 45 for two after 12 overs, Rwanda needed 50 runs from the remaining eight overs. The game was still within reach, but Uganda’s bowlers had other plans.

Mbabazi provided the breakthrough with the first ball of the 13th over, catching and bowling Sharila Niyomuhoza.

Akurut then took control in the 14th over, dismissing Henriette Ishimwe, caught by Alako, before Clarise Umutoniwase was caught by Mbabazi.

Rwanda had suddenly lost three wickets for just five runs in 12 balls and were reduced to 50 for five.

Concy Aweko made the situation even harder, catching and bowling Bimenyimana for a duck before bowling Belyse Murekatete.

Ikuzwe was run out through a combined effort by Mbabazi and Nampiina, while Ariokot bowled Merveille Uwase for 11.

Rosine Uwera and Ruth Uwimana could only take Rwanda to 75 for nine, leaving them 19 runs short of the target.

Akurut finished with three wickets for 11 runs, Aweko took two for nine, and Mbabazi claimed two for 13. Together, the three Ugandan bowlers delivered 12 overs, conceded just 33 runs and accounted for seven wickets.

Irera admitted that Rwanda knew they needed to get close to, or even surpass, Uganda’s total before the pressure of the final overs caught up with them.

“And knowing Uganda has a very good bowling unit, I was going to request our batters to make sure that they go for that, but we fell short in our chasing late,” she explained.

While the team missed out on the title, Irera’s individual contribution was part of a competitive Rwandan campaign. She featured in all seven matches, batting in seven innings and taking three wickets.

Among her teammates, Alice Ikuzwe finished with eight wickets, Ruth Uwimana claimed 12, while Bimenyimana led the tournament’s bowling charts with 17 wickets to earn the Best Bowler award.

Uganda’s Nampiina was named Best Batter after scoring 153 runs, while United States batter Sainavi Kambalapa claimed the Most Valuable Player award with 493 points.

The United States secured third place after defeating Namibia by 28 runs. Namibia had won the toss and elected to field, but the Americans posted 111 for four in 20 overs before bowling out their opponents for 83 in 18.1 overs.

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