Claire Najjuko and Purity Nalua Nekesa are giving Uganda reason to believe in a strong home campaign after winning all three of their opening matches at the 2026 CAVB Zone V Beach Volleyball Championship at Bunjako Beach in Buwama.

The pair, competing as Uganda 1, overcame Burundi, South Sudan and Kenya to reach day two on Friday unbeaten, putting themselves in a strong position as the hosts chase a podium finish.

Their campaign began with a hard-fought 22-20, 21-18 victory over Burundi’s Nadia Buntubwimana and Delly Drice Kaze.

Najjuko and Nekesa then brushed aside South Sudan 21-18, 21-15 before producing their most impressive display against Kenya.

After losing the opening set 21-18, the Ugandans fought back to take the second 21-19 and force a decider. They raised their game in the final set, winning 15-6 to complete a 2-1 comeback victory.

Three matches, three wins. The pair have made a strong statement on home sand and will be keen to maintain that form as the tournament progresses.

The Entebbe Tour, which runs from October 22 to 26 along the shores of Lake Victoria, gives Uganda an opportunity to improve on last year’s performance in Burundi, where the women won bronze and the men reached the quarterfinals.

Uganda’s second women’s pair, Margaret Namyalo and Eunice Amuron, made a winning start but could not maintain their momentum.

The duo, competing as Uganda 2, opened with a convincing 21-9, 21-10 victory over Burundi before losing to Kenya in a three-set contest.

Namyalo and Amuron dropped the first set 21-18 but responded with a 21-19 win to level the match. They, however, lost the deciding set 15-6.

They are expected back on court on Saturday morning for their final group-stage match.

Men struggle to find their feet

Uganda’s men have had a tougher time, with both pairs suffering defeats in their opening matches.

John Baptist Ogire and Isaac Ogusul, Uganda 2, lost 21-12, 21-18 to South Sudan’s Abraham Chol and Ayuen Mach Mayen before falling 21-9, 21-17 to Kenya 2.

Aziizi Busingye and Luc Florent Kimararungu also lost to Kenya 1 in a three-set encounter. After going down 21-10 in the opening set, they recovered to win the second 21-18 but eventually lost the decider 15-6.

The results leave the men with work to do if they are to match or better last year’s quarterfinal finish.

Florent and Aziizi are in Pool A alongside Burundi 2, represented by Mukunzi and Iteriteka, and Kenya 1’s Amutalla and Oseko.

Ogire and Ogusul are in Pool B with South Sudan’s Akec and Mayen and Kenya 2’s Chimanyi and Muliro. Pool C features Kenya 3’s Jairoo and Soita, Kenya 4’s Bosire and Maluki, and Burundi’s Gakiza and Manariyo.

Ogire and Ogusul are coached by Bwenje, assisted by Shamim Makongoro.

Four nations compete

The championship was officially opened on Thursday by Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) First Vice President Ahmed Abdallah Kiggundu at Bunjako Beach.

Only Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan registered for the competition, falling short of the 12 teams initially expected. The reduced turnout has left nine men’s pairs and eight women’s pairs competing for honours.

In the women’s competition, Najjuko and Nekesa are in Pool A alongside South Sudan, Kenya 2 and Burundi 2. Namyalo and Amuron are in Pool B with Burundi 1, Kenya 3 and Kenya 1.

With three victories already secured, Najjuko and Nekesa have given Uganda a promising start.