Uganda sweep Senegal 3-0 in 2026 CAVB Women’s Nations opener

Uganda began the 2026 CAVB Women’s African Nations Championship with a 3-0 victory over Senegal, winning 25-21, 25-15 and 25-16 at Kasarani Arena in Nairobi. The Pool B match lasted 72 minutes and gave the Lady Volleyball Cranes all three available points.

Senegal posed the stronger challenge in the opening set and led 19-17 before Uganda changed the course of the contest. Uganda scored seven points in succession to move 24-19 ahead. Senegal saved two set points, but the East Africans completed the comeback at 25-21 after 28 minutes.

Uganda established control early in the second set after the teams had traded the first two points. A 16-11 advantage became 21-11 when Uganda added five consecutive points, leaving Senegal unable to mount a recovery. The set ended 25-15 in 22 minutes.

The Lady Volleyball Cranes carried that momentum into the third set. They took a 4-1 lead and stayed ahead, despite a brief Senegalese response. Uganda then moved away from a 16-10 position to finish 25-16, also in 22 minutes, and complete the straight-sets win.

Joan Tushemereirwe was Uganda’s leading scorer with 17 points, including 14 attacks and three blocks. Captain Catherine Ainembabazi added eight, while Jennifer Alungat and Scovia Alungat each scored six. Uganda’s advantage also came through 33 attack points to Senegal’s 25, nine blocks to six and five aces to two. Senegal gave away 28 points through errors, compared with Uganda’s 19.

The result is a stronger outcome than Uganda’s 3-2 win against Senegal in their pre-championship friendly and gives them a positive start in a group that also contains Egypt and Burkina Faso. Uganda face Burkina Faso at Ulinzi Complex on Wednesday at 11:00 am, then meet 2023 finalists Egypt at Kasarani Arena on Thursday at 10:00 am. The championship winner will qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games, while the top three teams will reach the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship.