Uganda emerged victorious in the 2023 City Tyres Badminton Challenge, defeating India and Kenya in a round-robin format. Team captain Amos Muyanja played a pivotal role in this achievement, winning both his singles matches and the doubles with a triumph over India.

Muyanja’s singles match against India’s Kusal Guna was a closely contested affair, with each player pushing their limits. He secured the first set 21-13 but lost the second set 20-22 due to overconfidence. Determined to win, Muyanja took the third set 21-14, giving Uganda a strong start. Tracy Naluwooza continued Uganda’s success by defeating India’s Hirani Harshimi 2-0 (21-5, 21-8).

Muyanja then teamed up with Muzafaru Lubega to win the men’s doubles against Nowfal Nazeem and his brother 2-0. Guna was supposed to face Kenya’s Fred Nyaribo but was replaced by Muyanja, who defeated the Kenyan player 2-0. Hamza Hanifa also secured a victory for Uganda by beating Kenya’s Maria Admani 2-0.

With five wins in five games in the round-robin format, Uganda claimed the championship, with India finishing second and Kenya third.

Team captain Muyanja expressed his joy, saying, “It’s a great feeling aiding my country to this victory. I congratulate my teammates and coaches for this achievement. Last time Kenya won, but now victory belongs to Uganda.”

In the tournament, another standout player was Ramiah Bukenya, a senior two student at Mbogo High School, who reached the finals of the 2023 City Tyres East African Badminton Challenge. Although she lost in the finals, Bukenya had a remarkable performance, keeping her promise from the event’s opening day. She competed in the Under 15 Singles final, losing 2-1 to Olivia Kyomukama, and played a crucial role in Mbogo High School’s victory in the girls’ team category.