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Two weeks before the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, She Cranes coach Fred Mugerwa was sacked from his role after an evening training session at the GEMs gym in Butabika.
The then Uganda Netball President Susan Anek and some members of her executive delivered the bad news. In the same meeting, they announced Rashid Mubiru – Mugerwa’s assistant, as his successor.
Mugerwa watched the games on television as Uganda finished eighth; four years later, in England, it was Vincent Kiwanuka as Mugerwa, arguably the most qualified coach in the region, was again overlooked.
Now in charge of the She Cranes, Mugerwa is about to realise his dream ahead of the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
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The experience of 2015 is still fresh in his mind: “I am not there, so I can’t tell you how I feel going to the World Cup.”
“The last time I was sacked with two weeks to the tournament, and now we have a lot of time, so I can’t comment on that right now,” Mugerwa told Pulse Sports.
“As we speak, my colleague (Peace Chawinga Kalua) in Malawi was sacked, so it is too early for me to tell you how I feel.”
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“Maybe when I am finally in South Africa, I will be able to share my experience, but for now, I am focused on making sure I improve my team,” Mugerwa added.
The She Cranes will be playing at their fourth World Cup, the first being in 1979 in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, where they finished 13th.
The She Cranes didn’t qualify for the World Cup again until 2015, finishing 8th in Sydney, Australia, before settling for seventh in Liverpool, England, four years ago.
The 2023 Edition in Cape Town, South Africa, will start from July 28th to August 6th, 2023; Uganda is in group D alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore and New Zealand.
The Provisional Squad
Shooters: Christine Kango Namulumba (Prisons Netball Club), Sera Zam (NIC), Godlive Aguti (UPDF), Asinah Kabendela (Weyonje), Harriet Amoding (Weyonje), Irene Eyaru (KCCA),Shadia Nassanga (KCCA), Mary Nuba Cholhok (Loughborough Lightning, UK)
Midcourt Players: Margaret Baagala (NIC), Margaret Akello (Prisons), Joyce Nakibuule (Prison), Sarah Nakiyunga (NIC), Lunkuse Norah (KCCA), Annet Najjuka (KCCA), Lillian Achola (Weyonje), Victoria Nantumbwe (NIC), Penlop Amiya (NIC)
Defenders: Faridah Kadondi (Weyonje), Hanisha Muhammed (KCCA), Shakirah Nassaka (Weyonje), Christine Nakitto (KCCA), Privas Kayeny (NIC), Bashira Nassaazi (UCU), Stella Nanfuka (Prisons), Viola Asingo (Prisons), Flavia Nalule (Police), Tausi Mumena (Prisons), Shaffie Nalwanja (KCCA), Christine Nakitto(KCCA)
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