Uganda is set to host the 2026 Africa AirBadminton Championship from September 16 to 19 at Aero Beach in Entebbe, with athletes from across Africa and beyond expected to compete in the Badminton World Federation (BWF)-sanctioned tournament.
The championship will bring together players from Uganda, Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Comoros, Tunisia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Israel, Egypt, Zambia, Azerbaijan, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive continental contest.
Uganda enters the championship with a point to prove after its historic triumph at the inaugural edition in Mauritius in 2024.
The Ugandans emerged top in all their ties in the team event, defeating Comoros 60-8, overcoming hosts Mauritius 60-57, edging South Africa 60-58 and beating Tunisia 60-47 to claim the continental crown.
The championship has grown from six countries at the inaugural edition in Mauritius to 11 nations at the second edition in Ghana in 2025, and now to a much larger field in Uganda.
Uganda did not compete at the 2025 championship in Accra, where Egypt eventually lifted the title after defeating Nigeria in the final.
Now, defending champions Egypt and runners-up Nigeria return, alongside an expanding field determined to spoil Uganda’s homecoming.
Uganda’s current squad is already putting in the work at Mbogo High School, where preparations have intensified ahead of the championship.
Reagan Nsubuga, Muzafaru Lubega, Bruno Agaba and Denis Mukasa are among those training, while Tracy Naluwoza, Gladys Mbabazi, Olivia Nakajja and Malha Musa are also in camp.
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Three members of the squad that conquered Mauritius are back, bringing valuable experience of what it takes to win on the continental stage.
For Uganda, home advantage could prove decisive.
Long serving Uganda Badminton Association (UBA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Mugabi is optimistic of hosting successful Africa AirBadminton championship.
“We are more than ready to host the championship where at least 14 countries have confirmed sending of the players in the Africa AirBadminton championship. The venue Aero beach Entebbe and Botanical gardens beach hotel is ready as well and the players have been training well.” Mugabi added.
The breeze sweeping in from Lake Victoria, the sand underfoot and the roar of a home crowd will all become part of the challenge facing the visiting teams.
But the hosts will also know that familiarity with the surroundings brings pressure.
This time, Uganda is not the unknown challenger.
A different kind of badminton
AirBadminton is the outdoor version of badminton developed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Unlike the traditional indoor game, it uses a heavier, wind-resistant AirShuttle and can be played on sand, grass or hard outdoor courts.
The champions are back home, the challengers are coming, and the AirBadminton crown is there for the taking.
