GLASGOW, Scotland — Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team, the Gazelles, etched their names into the country’s sporting history after claiming a historic silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite falling 21-11 to Australia in Thursday’s final.
The result marked Uganda’s first-ever medal in women’s 3×3 basketball at the Commonwealth Games, making the Gazelles the country’s most successful team in the discipline since its introduction to the multi-sport event.
Australia dominated the gold medal contest with accurate long-range shooting and physical play, but Uganda’s quartet of Melissa Akullu, Jane Asinde, Jamila Nansikombi and Perus Nyamwenge fought bravely throughout the tournament to secure a place on the podium.
The Gazelles reached the final after an impressive run that included victories over Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Kenya, Tonga and New Zealand, announcing themselves as one of the tournament’s surprise packages. Their only defeats came against eventual champions Australia.
The National Council of Sports (NCS) celebrated the achievement, describing the silver medal as another proud moment for Team Uganda.
“Team Uganda has bagged a second Silver Medal of the Games, as the Gazelles settled for second following the 21-11 loss to Australia in the women’s 3×3 basketball competition,” NCS said in a statement.
The council praised the players for their determination and stylish performances throughout the competition, noting that they had won the admiration of fans at the Scottish Events Campus despite coming up against a more experienced Australian side in the final.
The basketball silver is Uganda’s second silver medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after para swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe secured the country’s first podium finish earlier in the Games.
The achievement represents another milestone for Ugandan basketball, which has enjoyed steady growth in recent years through strong performances in continental competitions and increasing participation in the Olympic-style 3×3 format.
Although Australia lifted the gold medal, Uganda leaves Glasgow with one of its greatest achievements in team sport, underscoring the growing strength of women’s basketball and providing fresh inspiration for the next generation of players.
The Gazelles’ silver medal adds to Uganda’s expanding success at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and reinforces the country’s reputation as an emerging force across a wider range of international sports beyond athletics.
