Ofuyuru and Namutebi shine in Linglong Badminton Championship schools' categories
Ofuyuru’s triumph was one of several podium finishes by his schoolmates, including Douglas Awongo and Ruth Ayikoru’s semi-final finishes in the same category.
CFK's Malik Juma Zainab (left) and Mbogo High's Mariam Namutebi poses with their women singles prizes after the City Tyres-Linglong championship at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, October 18, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Seroma Christian School’s Eric Ofuyuru beat Kibuli Secondary School’s Malik Juma Ahmed 2-1 to win the boys’ U-19 title at the 8th City Tyres Linglong East African Badminton Challenge, which ended at the Lugogo Indoor Arena on Sunday.
In the girl’s division, Mbogo High School’s Mariam Namutebi was also unstoppable, beating CFK Badminton Academy’s Malik Juma Zainabu 2-0.
Ofuyuru’s triumph was one of several podium finishes by his schoolmates, including Douglas Awongo and Ruth Ayikoru’s semi-final finishes in the same category.
Ofuyuru partnered with Awongo to also claim to spot with a 2-1 (20-21, 15-9, 15-12) in the doubles over Kibuli SS’s Malik Juma/Lukman Lubwama, where Rayan Mutesasira/Joshua Ogwang and Ahmed Afeez/Salih Sameen were the losing semifinalists.
Adlah Muleme (left) and Divine Mwesigwa pose with their women singles U-15 prizes after the City Tyres-Linglong championship at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, October 18, 2026. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The girls’ doubles overall win in this category was claimed by Rubaga Girls School’s Kate Ndagire/Kimberly Ssendiwala, who beat Mbogo High’s Mariam Namutebi/Bayat Nandagire, 2-0 (15-8, 15-8). The losing semifinalists were Alisha Ashraf/Fathima Hafeeza and Rebecca Ijuka/Brendah Namanya.
CFK’s Divine Mwesigwa topped the girls’ U-15 category with a 2-0 win over Mbogo’s Adlah Muleme while Bashir Mushiraf saw off Brydah Kasimbi in the boys’ event in the same category.
In the U-13 category the best players were Play of Hope’s Blessing Agatesi and Mbogo’s Sofian Nsubuga, who beat Umaiman Nabasirye and Abudallah Hydarry in the finals, while Caroline Namwanja and Aksam Nsubuga beat Fatia Nabukenya and Kori Adamya in the boys and girls U-10 category.
Seroma Christian School’s Eric Ofuyuru (left) poses with Kibuli Secondary School’s Malik Juma Ahmed who he beat 2-1 to win the boys’ U-19 title. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
The newly introduced Chinese category was won by Wenle Li who beat Delong Liao 2-0 (15-10, 15-7) in the men’s singles while Yihan Li beat Yu Zhang 2-1 (5-15, 17-15, 16-14) in the women’s division.
Wenle teamed up with Yihan to claim the mixed doubles with a 2-0 win over Rao Shawn/Dongmei Xia as Reddy Shruti/Trinadh Vinnakota claimed the Indian Nationals title past Francis Freejo/Gudeti Raj.
The mixed doubles champions were Qi Bruce/Xiao Lou. The top players in the Indian category were Thomas Biju/Krishnan Naveen, who also won 2-0 over Sathick Jahabar/Mubarak Mohamed in the mixed doubles.
Dattani Dhruvi beat Reddy Sunaina 2-1 in the women’s singles, as Thomas Biju/Khrishnan Naveen won the veterans’ unisex doubles, 2-1 against William Kabindi/Godfrey Kivumbi.
The coaches' competition was won by CFK’s Freddie Kirabo who beat Adam Mubiru in the final.