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She Cranes got their 2023 Netball World Cup underway on the right note with a 79-37 win over lowly ranked Singapore at the Cape Town International Conventional Centre in Cape Town South Africa.
Head coach Fred Mugerwa rested skipper Irene Eyaru and towering goalsgooter Mary Nuba for Shadia Nassanga and Haniisha Muhammed in the goalattacking and shooting roles respectively.
There was also a historical moment for sisters Margret Baagala and Norah Lunkuse who started at centre and wing attacker respectively.
Stellah Nanfuka playing at her second World Cup kept goal behind goalkeper defender Chrsitine Nakitto and wing defender Christine Nakitto.
Uganda contained the physical Asians, upping the tempo of the game with quick transition from defence to attacker as they won the first quarter 22-9.
Nanfuka and Nakitto made it hard for Singapore shooters Amandeep Chahal and to get close to their goal, forcing the latter to try shots from the distance.
That didn't stop Uganda from extending their lead 42-18 at the end of the second quarter.
Head coach Fred Mugerwa introduced Nuba and Eyaru for Muhammed and Nassanga respectively, Lillian Achola also came on for Lunkuse while Farida Kadondi also replaced Nanfuka.
Midway the third quarter, Mugerwa switched position as Baagala and Achola altered from centre to Wing attacker respectively.
Mugerwa then returned Muhammed in the goalkeeping role while Christine Namulumba came on for Nuba for goal shooting duties.
Muhammed scored 31 of her 35 attempts (86.1%), Nassanga 12/13 (92.3%) while Nuba scored 17/19 (89.5%), Christine Namulumba was 15/15 (100%), just like Eyaru who scored 7/7.
Baagala led the way with 33 assists, followed by Lunkuse (17), Nassanga (14) and Eyaru (10), Achola (4), Nuba and Muahmeed added two each.
Uganda will play World champions New Zealand on Saturday, the latter defeated Trindad and Tobago 76-27 in the opening game of the comepetetion.
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How Uganda started against Singapore
GS: Haniisha Muhammed
GA: Shadiah Nassanga
WA: Norah Lunkuse
C: Margaret Baagala
WD: Shaffie Nalwanja
GD: Christine Nakitto
GK: Stella Nanfuka
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