The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association has named the provisional squad of the women’s national team to play at the Zone V Qualifiers next month.

The preliminary Gazelles squad made up of only home-based has 28 players who started training today at the MTN Arena in Lugogo. This will be a non-residential training camp for 10 days and thereafter a residential one with the final selected team until the tournament period.

The qualifiers will take place from 14th – 19th February in Kampala, Uganda.

The Gazelles will be seeking to make their third appearance on the continent after debuting in 1997 and at the 2015 edition in Cameroon. They bounce back into contention for a place having missed out on the previous edition due to lack of funds.

“This is a big event for our women’s basketball since we have not been at this stage for eight years now due to lack of funds to participate,” said Nasser Sserunjogi, the FUBA President.

The team will be handled by a new head coach Alberto Atuna assisted by Ali Mavita, Nick Natuhereza, and Roger Sserunyigo.

The Provisional Squad

Evelyne Nakiyingi (JKL Lady Dolphins), Winfred Akello (Miracle), Flavia Oketcho (JKL Lady Dolphins), Sarah Ageno (JT Lady Jaguars), Shakira Nanvubya (UCU Lady Canons), Bridget Aber (UCU Lady Canons), Fildauce Namuleme (KIU Rangers), Becky Longom (KCAA Leopards), Angella Namirimu (KCCA Leopards), Sarah Namale (Nabisunsa Girls), Brenda Ekone (JKL Lady Dolphins), Rebecca Anyu (KCCA Leopards), Shila Lamunu (Magic Stormers), Rita Imanishimwe (JKL Lady Dolphins), Amoding Moreen (JT Lady Jaguars), Perus Nyamwenge (KIU Rangers), Shadia Mbwali (Nkumba Lady Marines), Agatha Kamwada ( UCU Lady Canons), Diana Letaru (Magic Stormers), Azida Nabayunga (UCU Lady Canons), Zaina Lokwameri (JT Lady Jaguars), Margaret Bagaala (KU Ladies), Mary Amaniyo (KIU Rangers), Leticia Awor (KCCA Leopards), Faridah Kandondi (KU Ladies), Hope Akello (JKL), Sharon Kirabo (KIU Rangers), Sylvia Nantongo (SMASK)

Eight-time National Basketball League champions City Oilers have officially signed Fayed Bbale.

The flashy point guard joins Oilers from UCU Canons after completing his sports scholarship at the Mukono-based Christian university.

Bbale played for the Oilers during the qualification process for the 2023 Basketball Africa League and immensely impressed the hierarchy at the eight-time national league champions. including the coach who had been an admirer of the diminutive guard.

Bbale is one of the players who came through the Jr NBA programme playing for Mashariki High School (Pelicans) and was head and shoulder above his peers.

Before joining UCU Canons, he played for Rez Life Saints.

David Deng has left last year’s National Basketball League finalists Namuwongo Blazers for Burundian side Dynamo Basketball Club.

Deng moves to Burundi comes after two seasons with the Blazers, including a season that was cut short by Covid-19.

The small forward missed the first round of last season due to his engagements with home side Cobra Basketball Club in the Basketball Africa League.

On return, he guided the Blazers to the NBL finals where they lost to City Oilers in the most watched best-of-seven finals series.

Dikong, as he’s fondly known, averaged just under 13 points and 7 rebounds a game last season.

About Deng

Dikong was born in the West Nile city of Arua to South Sudanese parents. He came to the limelight while playing for Giant Stormers when he was studying at Budo SS.

During his A’Level vacation, Dikong played for Destiny Phenoms before joining UCU Canons, a side he left after completing his sports scholarship.

He is a big signing for Dynamo who will be chasing their fourth title having been crowned champions in 1998, 2016 and 2018.

Francis Azolibe has left National Basketball League champions City Oilers.

The Nigerian power forward/center has been unveiled by Rwandan side Kigali Titans.

Rwanda’s BK National Basketball League will tip off on 13th January.

Last year, Azolibe helped Oilers overcome Nam Blazers in Best of Seven finals series for their eighth straight title.

It is the second time Azolibe leaves City Oilers having exited in 2020 to join Nam Blazers before returning the Bugolobi-based side last year.

During his first stint with Oilers he won the seventh title but suffered a career threatening knee injury and underwent surgery.

Meanwhile, Uganda’s National Basketball League will start on 10th March.

Vanguard University Lions washed away the Arizona Christian University Firestorm 87-66 at the OCC Gym helped out by 32 points in the first quarter.

Fans were treated to yet another double-double from Uganda’s Gazelles star Melissa Akullu who posted 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead all players in the game.

Lauren Baumgartner and Airiana Madanski each were strong from beyond the arc, netting 18 points each.

Vanguard University goes to 11-3 overall and 5-2 in league play, while Arizona Christian falls to 7-9 overall and 3-4 in conference action.

The Lions will complete the three-game home set on Thursday, 12th January when they square off with Hope International University for the first time this season, with second place on the line.

It should be noted that for her performance in that game coupled with her output against Ottawa University Surprise (OUAZ)in which she scored 29 points and picked 14 rebounds, Akullu was named the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.

It is her second successive Player of the Week honour and third overall in her career at Vanguard University.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) is set to host the FIBA Zone V Women’s AfroBasket Qualifiers.

The event is scheduled for 14th-19th February 2023 at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

These are the qualifiers for the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket that will be played in Kigali, Rwanda.

Uganda will be joined by other regional counterparts Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda (who could use the tournament to prepare their team), South Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Somalia for the week-long tournament.

The Gazelles are expected to start non-residential training in mid-January with the final 12 players to enter residential camp as the tournament nears.

Last year, Uganda hosted the U18 zonal qualifiers for Boys and Girls. The Junior Gazelles won the tournament and qualified for the final tournament in Madagascar where they finished fifth.

On another note, the senior Men’s side (Silverbacks) is also set to compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers due 20th-28th February in Luanda, Angola.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has confirmed the dates for the start of the 2023 National Basketball League season.

According to the calendar released by the federation, the top flight season will get underway on 10th March 2023, at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue – but most likely MTN Arena.

Meanwhile, the Lower Division Leagues will start the following day.

The registration of teams and players transfers will start on 1st February at FUBA offices in Lugogo while the league fixture will be released on 28th February.

The teams will have a chance to fine-tune for the new season at the annual UCU Invitational Tournament that is scheduled for 25th-26th February at the university’s main campus in Mukono.

The Second Round of the league will begin on 12th May and the playoffs will get underway in July before ending in September, per the FUBA Activity Calendar.

City Oilers beat Nam Blazers 4-3 in seven-game series finals to win their eighth league title in a row while UCU Lady Canons dethroned JKL Lady Dolphins coming from 3-1 down to win the series.

Melissa Akullu posted her fifth double-double of the season, finishing with a season-high 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Vanguard Lions rolled to a 73-61 win over Southeastern on Friday.

The 14th-ranked Lions emerged victorious in their lone game at the Westmont Holiday Classic. The tournament opener on Thursday against Health Sciences and Pharmacy was canceled due to the opponent’s travel issues.

The Ugandan forward posted her third 20-point game of the season and was 12-of-15 on the floor.

Lauren Baumgartner knocked down four three-pointers in adding 14 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists. Halle Si’i had a solid all-around game with 13 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Airiana Madanski contributed nine points off the bench as she hit three triples.

The Lions committed a season-low seven turnovers and enjoyed a 36-24 advantage in points in the paint.

VU shot 45.6 (31-of-68) percent from the floor. Southeastern shot 46.2 (24-of-52) percent but took 16 less field goal attempts. The Lions had 14 offensive rebounds which helped lead to 12 second chance points.

Gabby Suarez and Kiki Britzmann had 21 and 19 points for the Fire, respectively. The duo shot a combined 15-of-20 from the field, while the rest of the team was just 9-of-32.

Vanguard improved to 9-3 on the season. Southeastern fell to 6-9.

Kampala Rockets are the champions of Division One after overcoming Rez Life Saints in a decisive game five on Sunday at YMCA in Wandegeya, Kampala.

In the semifinals, Kampala Rockets beat Nkumba Marines while Rez Life Saints beat Livingstone to reach the finals and book slots in the 2023 National Basketball League.

Rez Life twice came from down to level the finals series before the Rockets won game five 68-61 to claim a 3-2 best-of-five victory.

The Rockets trailed 25-33 at halftime and were down by 11 points going into the last quarter but Rez Life Saints only managed just 8 points in the fourth quarter against the Rockets’ 26 to seal a comeback.

Ola Simon scored a game-high 20 points while Peter Cheng had a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds and Kur Garang added 11 points for the Rockets.

Burhani Ngobi (16), Ivan Otyek (15), William Charles Saverino (12) and Thok Timothy (10) scored in double figures for the Saints.

It has been a strong season for the Rockets who finished second in the regular season behind Livingstone with a 21-7 record before knocking out UMU Flames in the Quarters.

Meanwhile, JT Lady Jaguars swept Kampala University Ladies 3-0 to clinch the Women Division One title and end the season unbeaten.

JT Lady Jaguars have been head and shoulders above their competition in the Women’s Division II. They have literary walked through the park registering no loss thus far.

Jaguars who earned promotion to the National Basketball League will be playing their last game in the Division this evening when they take on Kampala University in Game 3 of the finals.

The star-studded side leads the best-of-five finals series 2-0 having won the opening two games of the series 67-28 and 73-27 and nothing at this point could stop them from sweeping the series

With the likes of Rhoda Naggita, Zainah Lokamweri, Sarah Ageno, Moreen Amoding, and Muhayimina Namuwaya who have played for championships sides in the National Basketball League, it’s only right for the side to complete the season unbeaten.

Meanwhile, in the men’s division, Rez Life Saints will be fighting to stay alive in the series they trail 2-1 to Kampala Rockets.

The two sides will be playing in the National Basketball League next year having eliminated Livingstone and Nkumba Marines respectively.

In their series, the Rockets won the opener before Rez Life levelled. However, on Wednesday night, Rockets took the series lead with Peter Cheng (20), Kur Garang (15), and Suka Fadul (10) scoring in double figures.

The Rockets will be crowned Division II Champions if they win tonight and thus Rez Life head coach Daniel Jjuuko will need Timothy Thok who scored 22 points last time out to get enough help from the likes of Emmanuel Okot, Ivan Otyek, and Philip Kalenzi