Mary Cholhok Nuba Carries Uganda’s Commonwealth Games Medal Hopes

Standing at an imposing 6ft 7in, Mary Cholhok Nuba (born 3 January 1997) is one of the most recognisable and dominant figures in world netball. Also spelled Mary Cholhock Nuba and sometimes referred to simply as Mary Cholhok or Mary Nuba, the South Sudanese-born professional Ugandan star has established herself among the game’s elite goal shooters. She currently plays for the Queensland Firebirds in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball league and represents the Uganda national netball team as a Goal Shooter (GS). As the She Cranes prepare to open their 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign against Wales in Glasgow, Cholhok will once again carry the nation’s hopes with her exceptional scoring ability, leadership and wealth of international experience.

Cholhok’s rise to the pinnacle of world netball is a story of resilience, determination and perseverance. Born in South Sudan, she fled the country with her family as a child and sought refuge in neighbouring Uganda, where she spent much of her early life. Remarkably, she only discovered netball during her early teenage years, but her extraordinary height, athleticism and natural talent quickly propelled her into the spotlight as one of Uganda’s most promising young players.

Her talent blossomed during her time at St. Mary’s SS Kitende, where she represented the school at the National Secondary School Championships between 2013 and 2016. During those four years, Cholhok developed into one of the country’s most feared goal shooters, consistently delivering outstanding performances that established her among Uganda’s brightest netball prospects and laid the foundation for an illustrious professional and international career.

Following her successful school career, Cholhok joined NIC Netball Club in 2017, where she continued her rapid development over the next two seasons. Her outstanding displays in Uganda’s top-flight competition earned her international recognition, leading to a move to England in December 2018 to join Loughborough University and Loughborough Lightning, one of the strongest teams in the Netball Super League. She made her league debut against Wasps on 5 January 2019, marking the beginning of a professional career that would see her become one of the world’s most prolific shooters.

Her performances in England elevated her status on the global stage and paved the way for another major career move when she signed for the Queensland Firebirds in Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball, widely regarded as the strongest domestic netball competition in the world. Since arriving in Australia, Cholhok has continued to showcase her exceptional shooting accuracy, physical presence and consistency against some of the sport’s finest defenders.

Cholhok made her senior debut for the She Cranes during the 2018 World University Games in Kampala and has since become the cornerstone of Uganda’s national team. She represented the country at the 2019 Netball World Cup in England, featured at the 2019 African Netball Championships, and played a leading role at the 2023 Netball World Cup, where Uganda equalled its best-ever finish by placing fifth in the world. Her ability to deliver under pressure has made her one of the team’s most influential players.

Away from the court, Cholhok has also demonstrated remarkable resilience. She temporarily stepped away from professional netball to give birth to her son before successfully returning to elite competition. Her inspiring comeback highlighted her determination and commitment to both her family and her country, further cementing her status as one of Uganda’s greatest sporting ambassadors.

Her list of individual honours reflects her remarkable impact on the game. Cholhok finished as the top scorer in the Uganda National Netball Championship in 2016, led the scoring charts at the 2018 World University Games, claimed the Netball Super League Top Scorer Award in 2019 and 2021, won the prestigious Golden Shot Award for three consecutive years, and finished as the top scorer at the 2023 Netball World Cup, underlining her reputation as one of the most clinical goal shooters in international netball.

As Uganda begins another Commonwealth Games campaign, Cholhok will once again be expected to lead from the front. The She Cranes are aiming to surpass their historic fifth-place finish at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the country’s best-ever result at the event. With her unrivalled experience, world-class finishing ability and inspirational leadership, Mary Cholhok Nuba remains the player carrying Uganda’s greatest hopes of achieving another landmark performance on the Commonwealth stage.

Finance Trust Bank FUFA WSL 2026/2027 Fixtures.

FWSL - MATCH DAY 1 FIXTURE

September 19, 2026 (1) 3 - 0 2026/2027 N/A Kawempe Muslims LFC vs Jinja United WFC
September 20, 2026 (1) 0 - 1 2026/2027 N/A She Corporate FC vs St.Noa Girls Zana FC
September 20, 2026 (1) 0 - 3 2026/2027 N/A URA Ladies FC vs KCCA WFC
September 20, 2026 (1) 1 - 0 2026/2027 N/A Makerere University vs Amus College WFC
September 20, 2026 (1) 0 - 1 2026/2027 N/A LADY DOVES FC vs Uganda Martyrs LWFC
September 20, 2026 (1) 0 - 3 2026/2027 N/A Rines SS WFC vs She Maroons FC