Shadia Nassanga: The making of Africa’s best netball player

Before becoming the best netball player on the continent, Shadia Nassanga was a reluctant visitor to a netball court, doubting she could play the sport.

During her Primary Seven vacation, she accompanied her sister Hajara Ssegujja to training in Namungoona, seeking relief from boredom.

Coach Richard Ssentongo recognised possibilities in her height and physique, handing her a ball to try shooting on one side of the court while the others trained from the other end.

“I told him (Ssentongo) I was very fat and did not think that I could play netball,” Nassanga told Daily Monitor.

Ssentongo nevertheless encouraged her to shoot, creating an opportunity that quickly turned an uncertain visitor into an enthusiastic learner.

The following morning, Nassanga was the first at practice, collected balls from Ssentongo’s house and started perfecting her shot alone.

“I do not know what inspired me, but the next day I was the first on the court.”

That unexpected introduction began a journey that culminated in Uganda’s fourth African triumph and Nassanga's biggest individual honours.

As Uganda defeated South Africa 56-53 at the 2026 Africa Netball Cup final in Nairobi last September, Nassanga was named the Most Valuable Player, she also scooped the Best Shooter award.

The first believer

Born on September 9, 2000, the 26-year-old traces much of her development to Ssentongo’s confidence in her. 

He took her to Exodus College in Wakiso, where she says she played netball for five years.

By the first term of senior two, Nassanga had earned selection for the school’s first netball team. 

Silver and bronze medals followed, although repeated defeats at the hands of St Mary’s Kitende left her increasingly hungry for gold.

“Every time we went to the finals, we knew Kitende was going to beat us,” she recalled. 

When an opportunity to join Kitende emerged, Nassanga wanted the move without leaving her first coach Ssentongo behind.

“I told them I could not leave my coach behind because he taught me how to play netball.” “If I was coming to Kitende, I had to come with my coach as the assistant coach.”

Lawrence Mulindwa accepted the arrangement, enabling her to pursue gold alongside the person who recognised her ability.

Her education eventually took her to Victoria University, where she graduated in Business Administration after receiving a sports scholarship.

Loyalty beyond medals

Ssentongo also secured Nassanga an opportunity to join KCCA Netball Club  during her senior three, establishing a club attachment that remains rooted in gratitude.

She remembers him choosing her ahead of other Exodus shooters whom she considered better at the time. 

“He took me there as his first choice ahead of other better shooters at Exodus,” Nassanga recalled.

That decision still influences how she handles approaches from clubs interested in securing her services elsewhere. 

“I would never leave KCCA until he gets me another club because of the love I have for my coach.”

She listens to interested clubs, but insists that discussions about her netball future must still involve Ssentongo. 

“I give them a listening ear, but as regards netball, coach Richard Ssentongo is my agent.”

Growing on the international stage

International assignments gradually offered wider audiences, evidence of the ability Ssentongo had recognised during those early practice sessions.

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Nassanga contributed two goals as Uganda defeated South Africa 54-48 in the fifth-place playoff.

A year later, she delivered 38 goals and 14 assists during Uganda’s 57-46 World Cup victory over Malawi.

That performance delivered her third player of the match award at the competition, highlighting her contribution as both scorer and creator.

Uganda subsequently beat South Africa 49-47 to finish fifth in Cape Town, achieving their highest World Cup placing.

Glasgow 2026 provided another statement of accuracy, with Nassanga converting all 27 attempts during Uganda’s 59-50 victory over Wales.

Uganda eventually finished sixth after losing 62-54 to South Africa, before September’s continental final produced a different outcome.

Nassanga believes stronger defensive options helped Uganda cope with South Africa’s shooters during their successful African championship campaign.

“At the Commonwealth Games, South Africa had their tall shooters, and we did not have tall defenders," Nassanga said before adding. 

“At the African Championship, we looked for taller girls, and they did a good job defending.” 

Nassanga attributes her individual honours accompanied by team achievement,  exclusively  to shooting.

“I take time every day to go there and shoot at least 100 shots,” she explained. 

“You cannot just wake up one day and start shooting a ball because it takes time.” 

“You have to give it your best and keep on practising because practising is everything,” she added.

Beyond appearances

Her physique has attracted assumptions throughout that journey, including questions about whether she could manage international competition.

Nassanga  recalls hearing a South African coach questioning her mobility when Uganda identified her as their shooter.

“The coach asked whether I could run, and she was saying all this while I was listening.”

She does not name the coach, but says her relaxed walking style can mislead people assessing her capabilities.

“Maybe it is because of the way I walk, I walk lazily and am not lazy.”

“To manage my body, I do a lot of physical exercises, I run and watch what I eat.”

For girls hoping to follow her, Nassanga stresses patience and consistent preparation rather than expecting immediate recognition.

Another sporting chance

Basketball offered another unexpected opening when JKL's proprietor Fredrick Freedom Owora approached her while she was at Lugogo cheering her netball colleague Mercy Batamuliza.

Freedoom encouraged her to try another shooting sport, although her initial response echoed the doubts from her netball introduction.

Nassanga attended training despite believing her body could not manage basketball, a contract followed the next day.

“I did not know how to play basketball, but he trusted me with a contract,” she recalled.

That introduction to another sport and confidence by another club continues to command her loyalty.

“The fact that JKL gave me the platform means I am still with JKL until further notice.”

Her overseas experience with Malaysia’s Wildcats has similarly encouraged her to consider opportunities beyond Uganda’s domestic netball competition.

Having played there on three occasions, she rejects suggestions that the league offers little challenge or professional value.

“There are imports from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, so you do not expect that league to be weak.”

For Nassanga, those assignments offer opportunities to demonstrate her ability and attract interest from clubs further afield.

The next chapter

Her ambitions include stronger World Cup performances and overseas opportunities, although she recognises selection must precede those plans.

“These are the platforms we have to show people that there is netball in Uganda and Africa.”

Faith remains central to that outlook, alongside the training required to turn ambition into a stronger performance.

Nassanga’s immediate focus is the 2027 Netball World Cup in Australia, but her ambitions extend beyond the court.

Uganda will represent Africa alongside South Africa, Malawi and Namibia, with Nassanga hoping to make another mark before considering motherhood.

“I want to take a break from the sport and try to start a family after the 2027 World Cup, I am not sure if I will be able to continue playing, but time will tell," she said.

For the player who once doubted she could play netball, the next chapter could mean balancing two dreams: representing Uganda and starting a family.

UTILITIES

Pull quote: “I take time every day to go there and shoot at least 100 shots.”

Second pull quote: "I want to take a break from the sport and try to start a family after the 2027 World Cup.”

PROFILE BOX: SHADIA NASSANGA

Born: September 9, 2000

Age: 26

Hometown: Namungoona, Kampala

Positions: Goal shooter and goal attack

National team: Uganda She Cranes

Netball club: KCCA

Basketball club: JKL Lady Dolphins

Overseas experience: KL Wildcats, Malaysia

Schools: Exodus College and St Mary’s Kitende

University: Victoria University

Mentor: Richard Ssentongo

STATISTICS BOX: MOMENTS THAT MARKED HER RISE

Birmingham 2022, fifth-place playoff: Two goals in Uganda’s 54-48 victory over South Africa

Cape Town 2023, World Cup against Malawi: 38 goals, 14 assists and her third player of the match award. Uganda won 57-46

Glasgow 2026, Commonwealth Games against Wales: 27 goals from 27 attempts, giving her 100% shooting accuracy. Uganda won 59-50

Nairobi 2026, African championship: MVP and Best Shooter as Uganda won the title, beating South Africa 56-53