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It was business as usual for City Oilers and UCU Canons in the National Basketball League as both sides registered wins.

UCU hosted the Saturday games in Mukono and defending champions Oilers (2-1) powered past Victoria University 97-55. Ivan Lumanyika had a 16/16 double-double for the Oilers.

Canons (3-0) made it three wins in three games, having beaten the Falcons 71-53. Ibanda Lwabaga and Abraham Isyagi scored 14 and 13 points respectively while Titus Lual pulled down 14 rebounds to go with 10 points.

Meanwhile, Nam Blazers returned to winning ways having suffered a shocking defeat to Our Savior last weekend.

Blazers (2-1) beat Ndejje Angels 81-60 thanks to Amisi Saidi and Paul Odong who combined for 38 points with each contributing 19. Richard Ongom added 12 points for the Namuwongo-based side.

League action continues today at the MTN Arena in Lugogo.

Saturday Results

Sunday Fixtures (MTN Arena, Lugogo)

Melisa Akullu walked straight into Claire Lamunu’s shoes when she joined Vanguard University a couple of years ago.

During her tenure with the Vanguard Lions, Lamunu was exceptional leading the side to the NAIA national tournament and by extension, the bar was already set for Akullu.

The Ugandan center has had a very good sophomore year, registering 15 double-doubles during the 2021-22 season, seven of which came in her last eight games.

The 6-foot-1 center averaged a double-double, one of just two players in the Golden State Athletic Conference to do so, posting 18.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. She ranked third in the conference in points and tied for the lead in rebounds.

Melisa Akullu goes for a lay-up

Akullu recorded at least 20 points in a game 10 times and twice hit the 30-point mark, including a career-high 35 points against Life Pacific on 2nd December 2021. She scored 30 in the regular-season rematch against the Warriors on 22nd January 2022. She also reached double figures in points in 14 straight games and in all but one during the just concluded 2021-22 season.

To cap her good season, Akullu earned NAIA Third Team All-America honours.

With performances like that from Akullu, Jane Asinde at Wichita State Shockers, Jamila Nansikombi at Moberley Area Community College, and Priscilla Abey at Grayson College as well several stars in the local league, exciting times are ahead for the Gazelles, Uganda’s national women’s team.

Celebrating Women in Sports

MTN Uganda is Celebrating Women in Sports and we would like you to nominate your outstanding woman in sports and shine a light on their greatness.

Nominate Here.

NBL | Saturday Results

Uganda Christian University (UCU) teams, Lady Canons and Canons, were triumphant in the National Basketball League (NBL) on Saturday at YMCA in Wandegeya, Kampala.

UCU Lady Canons beat debutants Miracle Ravens 66-60 whileUCU Canons beat newcomers Tropical Royals 8O-36 to post the biggest scoreline of the season thus far.

In the women’s game, Rose Akon led Lady Canons with 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Hajara Najjuko posted 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists for the university team.

Miracle Ravens captain Brenda Alyano led the side in a losing effort with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Lillian Cherotich had 10 points and 4 rebounds.

In the men’s game, Kevin Kasobya top-scored for the dominant UCU side with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Crammer Wamala managed 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.

No Tropical Royals player scored double figures but Highman Ssemakula had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Denis Omara and Charles Ochero had 5 points apiece.

In other games, City Oilers beat KCCA Panthers 80-46. Newcomers Our Savior shocked Nam Blazers 61-59 while KIU Rangers were 61-55 victors over former champions A1 Challenge.

Action continues today with five games on the card at the MTN Arena Lugogo.

Since joining JKL Lady Dolphins in 2017 out of High School, Hope Akello has dominated the stripe in the Women’s National Basketball League.

Akello, who has now become a household name in women’s basketball, took just a couple of seasons in the top-flight division to ascend to the top of the pyramid.

Born to Moses Angura and Ruth Mirembe in the Eastern district of Tororo, Akello picked interest in basketball a decade ago while at Trinity College Nabbingo.

She later moved to St. Mary’s High School Kitende where her basketball sprouted as the institution put together a team that swept whatever came their way along the years. The likes of Brenda Ekone, Brenda Nakitende, Evelyn Nakiyingi, Hope Gimono, Jamila Nansikombi, Leticia Awori, Maureen Nankumbi, Priscilla Abbey, Rose Basemera, and Vicky Akello all of who have since played in the National Basketball League were part of the team over the years.

Akello had a feel of league basketball while still in high school as she featured for Gladiators but it was moving to JKL that gave a feel of “grown woman” basketball. At the time, JKL had former league MVP Purity Adhiambo and Salam Akiny all of whom were her direct competitors in the front court.

In their first year in the National Basketball League finished third, a feat that Akello was part of. The departure of Adhiambo meant Akello would take on a bigger role that she embraced, leading the side to a national championship along with Ritah Imanishimwe and Jamila Nansikombi.

In 2019, Akello made the league her own as she found no match in the paint leading the team to a second straight title while eaarning MVP and top rebounder honours.

The star forward was part of the Dolphins side that won the FIBA Zone V Club Championship in Dar es Salaam in October 2019 where they dispatched Kenyan giants Equity and KPA in sems and final respectively.

She has represented the national side (Gazelles) in the mainstream as well as in the shorter version of the game (3×3).

Quick Profile

Career Highlights

Celebrating Women in Sports

MTN Uganda is Celebrating Women in Sports and we would like you to nominate your outstanding woman in sports and shine a light on their greatness.

Nominate Here.

KCCA Leopards bounced back from the National Basketball League opening day defeat with an 18-point win over Nabisunsa on Wednesday.

The former champions lost to KIU Rangers in the season opener and were looking to make amends against the school side.

The opening quarter ended all square with 15 points apiece but the Leopards (1-1) defended better in the second quarter limiting Nabisunsa to 11 points and opened a 10-point lead by the halftime break.

Experience was at the forefront as KCCA went on to win the next two quarters 11-8 and 20-16 for the win.

Leticia Awor (13 points), Angella Namirimu (12), and Ruth Atuheire (12 points and 11 rebounds) scored in double figures for Leopards.

Linda Aber scored 13 points for Nabisunsa while Priscilla Nambogo had 11 points.

Wednesday Results

Friday Fixtures

Last year, Jane Asinde became the second female basketball player out of Uganda to join and play for a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I school when she joined Wichita State University from Grayson College.

It has been a journey that started barely seven years ago at Budo Secondary School when the forward born to Chrispin Oloka and Janet Athieno in the Eastern district of Tororo was introduced to basketball and quickly soared.

Asinde quickly became the biggest basketball prospect in the country while at Budo and playing for Magic Stormers in the Women’s National Basketball League.

The quick rise in the game saw her earn a spot on Uganda’s team at the 2018 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup and the following year joined league champions JKL Lady Dolphins.

However, nine games into the 2019 National Basketball League season, Asinde was on the move to the United States to join Grayson College in Dayton, Texas.

She was only the third female basketball player out of Uganda to join a College in the United States. The other two are Sharon Karungi who played at California Baptist University, Northern Oklahoma College and Valparaiso University as well as Claire Lamunu who played at Vanguard University. 

In her first year at Grayson, Asinde was named the Conference Freshman of the Year, while also earning All-Conference and All-Region honors for Grayson. She averaged 13.4 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 53.9 percent from the field.

Asinde’s sophomore season was even better. She posted 18.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game on 52.4 percent shooting. She registered 21 double-doubles and scored 30 or more points three times, including a season-high 38 in the final game of the season.

Asinde was the 18th-rated player in the World Exposure Report Juco rankings. She earned WBCA NCJAA First Team All-American honors after a standout sophomore campaign that got Wichita State University calling.

Jane Asinde elevates to shot over Danielle Sanderlin of SMU

This season, Asinde played 29 games for Wichita State Women’s Basketball Team (Shockers), making 22 starts. She led the Shockers with nine double-doubles and finished the season with 13 games of 10 or more points and 25 games with five or more rebounds. Asinde led the team in rebounding (8.4) and ranked second in steals (47) and blocks (26). She was third on the team in scoring at 8.7 points per game.

With the success she had in her junior season with Shockers, Asinde’s dream of playing in the WNBA is on track.

Other Women in Basketball soaring

Women’s basketball in Uganda has been growing rapidly and this can be seen through the number of women playing at a high level.

Melisa Akullu had a great sophomore season with Vanguard University in NAIA averaging 18.6 points and 12.2 rebounds per game just as Jamila Nansikombi at Moberly Area Community College in NJCAA.

JKL Lady Dolphins forward and National Basketball League MVP Hope Akello is showing no signs of slowing down as she continues to dominate locally as is her teammate Flavia Oketcho, the longest-serving active player.

Youngster Maria Najjuma, who is the biggest prospect in the country at the moment, joined the NBA Africa Academy earlier this year.

Celebrating Women in Sports

MTN Uganda is Celebrating Women in Sports and we would like you to nominate your outstanding woman in sports and shine a light on their greatness.

Nominate Here.

Namuwongo Blazers and KIU Rangers were victorious on the opening night of the 2022 National Basketball League.

Blazers beat defending champions City Oilers 72-65 while in the women’s division, Rangers soaked foruth quarter pressure to edge KCCA Leopards 69-63.

Nam Blazers are seen as one of the challengers to the throne Oilers have held for the last seven seasons played to conclusion and they played the season opener like challengers.

Oilers won the opening quarter 17-11 and the subsequent period 17-16 for a 34-27 lead at halftime.

Nam Blazers edged the third quarter 18-17 and took the all decisive fourth quarter 26-11 to win the game.

Congolese power forward Amisi Saidi led the way for Nam Blazers with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Richard Ongom and Joseph Ikong scored 15 and 14 points respectively.

For City Oilers, it was Ruai Ruak with team high 13 poinyts and 11 rebounds. Ivan Muhwezi and Ben Komakech contrbuted 11 and 10 points repectively off the bench.

Angela Namirimu

In the women’s game, Leane Nalunkuma’s 16 points were not enough as former champions KCCA Leopards suffered defeat on the opening day. Sylvia Nakazibwe score 12 points.

For KIU Rangers, it was Ines Kanyamunza (15 points), Rachael Adhiambo (17 points) who scored in double figures.

All is set for the 2022 National Basketball League following the launch of the season on Wednesday at Hotel Africana.

The top-flight season was last played to completion in 2019 and the excitement is visible with the return of the league.

“On behalf of the Federation, we are excited to be back. In 2020, we didn’t have the league due to turbulent times, but we are now back bigger and better. We promise mouthwatering Basketball and we are very happy to have these sponsors on board,” said FUBA Vice President (Administration) Hudson Ssegamwenge at the season launch.

The league’s first-round will tip-off on Friday, 11th March, and will end on May 22. The games are expected to be broadcast on Sanyuka Tv.

Opening Weekend Fixtures

Friday, 11th March (MTN Indoor Arena, Lugogo)

Saturday, 12th March (YMCA, Wandegeya)

Sunday, 13th March (MTN Indoor Arena, Lugogo)

The UCU Open Basketball Championship will take center stage over the weekend at the University’s main campus in Mukono.

It will be the eleventh edition of the pre-season tournament, played a week to the start of the National Basketball League.

At least twenty-two (22) teams have confirmed participation in the two-day tournament.

The top three teams in the men’s division that are widely regarded as title challengers will give fans a glimpse of what to expect when the national league starts next weekend.

Men’s Teams

Women’s Teams

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations has released fixtures for the first round of the 2022 National Basketball League.

Defending champions City Oilers will be in action on the opening day against Namuwongo Blazers in the men’s division in a game that will be preceded by a women’s clash between KCCA Leopards and KIU Rangers.

The league will tip-off on Friday, 11th March and the first round ends on May 22.

The Men’s division will have 13 teams following Warriors’ failure to register while the Women’s Division will have 10 as has been the case in recent seasons.

Meanwhile, Victoria University who acquired Sharing Youth will be debuting in the Men’s as will Tropical Royals while Our Saviour is just returning to the Division.

Miracle Eaglets have been included in the fixture for Women’s Division after taking over UMU Ravens slot.

Opening Weekend Fixture

Friday, 11th March (MTN Arena, Lugogo)

Saturday, 12th March (YMCA, Wandegeya)

Sunday, 13th March (MTN Arena, Lugogo)