All is set for the resumption of Lower Division Basketball Leagues after the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) released fixtures.

The FUBA Division One and Two leagues will resume next Saturday, 16th October at Nakaseero Primary School.

The Lower Division Leagues’ regular season will go until 31st October and the playoffs will tip-off on 6th November and run until 4th December as clubs seek promotion.

Tropical Royals lead Men’s Division One standings with 21 points from 11 games, while Kampala Rockets (19), Our Saviour (19) and Rez Life (18) follow closely having played 10 games each on a 14-team log.

Saturday, 16th October | Nakasero Primary School

Division II

• Vegetarian vs. Kings

Division I

• Diamonds in the Sun vs. Our Saviour
• Rez Life vs. Tropical Royals
• Entebbe Archers vs. Gulu Hawks

Sunday, 17th October | Nakasero Primary School

Division II

• Emperors vs. Livingstone

Division I

• Kampala Rockets vs. Gulu Hawks
• Knight Riders vs. Charging Rhino
• Entebbe Archers vs. Rez Life

One of Uganda’s Junior Gazelles’ best performers at the 2019 FIBA U16 Women’s African Championship Esther Kwagala Namiiro has landed an opportunity of a lifetime.

Namiiro who has been turning out for Watoto Ladies in the Women’s Division I League earned an opportunity to grow her basketball career and further her education in the United States.

The 18-year-old guard is set to have trials with Danville Christian Academy, a private school in Kentucky.

If successful and is recruited, Kwagala joins the likes Sharon Karungi, Claire Lamunu, and more recently Jamilah Nansikombi and Jane Asinde who have left the country and had successful student-athlete careers in the US.

Uganda claimed 3×3 basketball gold in the ISF U15 World School Games after overcoming Serbia in Tuesday’s final at Beograd.

Uganda is among the 35 countries at the largest multi-sport event for teenagers coming who are competing in 14 sports.

Uganda’s basketball team, comprised of Brighton Galiwango, Mathew Kisakye, Lionel Agaba, and Wycliff Birungi won five of 8 games at the tournament.

Despite starting the tournament with three consecutive defeats, Uganda managed to win their subsequent three to reach the semis.

In the semis, the team coached by Nam Blazers guard Jonathan Egau beat Ukraine 9-8 before overcoming Serbia 10-9.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) has cancelled the 2021 season of the National Basketball League.

The decision was arrived at after majority of the top-flight clubs failed to meet the requirement for resuming the season that was set for 2nd October.

After a series of meetings, it was agreed that at least eight clubs meet the requirements for resumption with each team asked to pay Shs600,000 to register.

The deadline for meeting the requirements was Monday, 13th October and, reportedly, only five NBL (Men) – UCU Canons, Betway Power, UPDF Tomahawks, KCCA Panthers and Falcons – had confirmed registration while two NBL Women teams – UCU Lady Canons and KCCA Leopards had registered.

“It is evident that the NBL (Men and Women) and Division One Women Leagues have failed to meet the required threshold for resumption.

“The said leagues are hereby, therefore, canceled forthwith and the status quo as at the end of 2019 season for respective leagues is maintained accordingly,” reads a statement in part from FUBA President Nasser Sserunjogi.

However, the Men’s Division One and Two are expected to continue as the requirement were met.

“Division 1 (Men) and Division 2 have met the required threshold of at least eight (8) teams for the resumption and shall therefore resume accordingly upon fulfillment of all the requirements and guidelines put in place by the FUBA competition Council.

“The Competitions Council shall guide and advise on how to handle the issues of promotion from Division 1 to NBL for 2022 season.”

Division One (Men) Teams to continue with the league are Our Saviour, Kampala Rockets, Tropical Royals, Rez Life, Diamonds in the Sun, Gulu Hawks, Knight Riders, Entebbe Archers, and Charging Rhino

Division Two sides are Governors, Miracle Eagles, Emperors, Kings Basketball, Watoto Men, JKL Junior Men, Livingston, Berkley, and Vegetarian

Arthur Kaluma was Uganda’s top scorer at the just concluded FIBA AfroBasket 2021 where the Silverbacks finished sixth.

The 19-year-old 6’7” power forward averaged 13.2 points and 5.8 rebounds at the continent’s most prestigious basketball competition.

Kaluma’s performance and work ethic left Uganda’s head coach George Galanopoulos impressed

“I have never seen a 19-year-old work hard the way that this kid does. He is the first one in the gym that laces up his shoes, everybody likes to take their time. This guy is the first one out getting shots up,” Galanopoulos said of Kaluma.

“If we didn’t have to get on the bus and get kicked out of the gym because other teams were playing, he would be there all day and night, that’s how he is, it’s his DNA so I got faith in him. He’s got a bright future and we are very lucky to have him.”

While Kaluma can drive to the basket with ease, he is still figuring out his outside shot and Galanopoulos feels it’s just a confidence issue.

“For Arthur, it’s not his inability to shoot [but] it’s just the confidence that he knows he can make [that shot]. I think that grew a little bit [and] it took a lot of motivation. I think you guys saw that timeout where I was a little fired up about him passing up a three.

“You know there are different ways you can handle situations like that but with guys like Deng Geu who used to struggle with his shot a couple of years ago when he came to us, a guy like Arthur… I watched those guys [in practice] hit three after three after three, but that kid has got heart, and he’s got confidence so I think he took a step in that direction so I think he carries over into his college season.”

Kaluma will start his college career with Creighton Bluejays in a month’s time when the 2021-22 NCAA season tips off.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has set dates for the resumption of basketball leagues in the country.

FUBA came to a resolution that the games return on 2nd October 2021 for the National Basketball League (NBL) while the Lower Division games are scheduled for 16th October.

A number of conditions were however put forward for a successful league return of basketball and these include;

• A deadline of 10th September 2021 was set by the federation regarding the confirmation of participation in the NBL by topflight league teams.
• An additional fee of UGX 600,000 was also instituted for NBL teams. 
• Mandatory COVID Test for players and officials 48 hours prior to the games.

Like the trend has been in the “new normal”, no fans will be allowed or expected at the venues during games. The only provisions available will be for the media and these will also be limited to a small number.

The games will take place at venues that will be made public knowledge at the release of the fixtures by the federation on 18th September.

The league was called off while still in the regular season which implies that the proposed resumption will see a conclusion of regular-season games before teams head for the playoffs.

Uganda’s Silverbacks are back in the country after a good showing at the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda.

The team of locally-based players and officials jetted in on Monday night, 11:30pm, aboard Uganda Airlines.

The Silverbacks, whose preparations prior to the tournament were marred by financial hardships, managed to overcome obstacles to reach the quarterfinals, their best finish ever at the continental championship.

After finishing third in Group D, Uganda beat Nigeria in the qualifier for the quarterfinals before falling to a resolute Cape Verde and eventually ended with a 2-3 mark and a respectable sixth-place finish.

Uganda’s tournament journey ended on 2nd September but prolonged their stay in Kigali during which the team visited Genocide Memorial in Rwanda to commemorate and pay respect to the lives that were lost during the 1994 Genocide.

On Monday, the team was hosted to a farewell luncheon at the Uganda High Commission in Kigali.

The Silverbacks will regroup in November for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Uganda’s Silverbacks played their best basketball thus far, reaching the quarterfinal on their third appearance at AfroBasket.

Despite not having prepared for the tournament by having a training camp, the team strung together a 2-2 record that included beating continental heavyweights Nigeria.

James Okello who played 23 minutes in the quarterfinal game against Cape Verde says the team did its best but didn’t shy away from the fact that the team didn’t prepare well for the tournament.

“I don’t think we missed anything, we went on court and gave all we had to give. The boys fought, they fought so hard.

“The coach gave all his best so I don’t think there’s anything short we left back, we all gave our best given the fact that we didn’t have enough time to prepare, problems behind the scenes that you guys can’t see.

“We just have to prepare better next time, get support earlier, maybe we will go further and we will probably get to the finals or even win, why not?” said Okello.

The 6’4” City Oilers center who also played his best game at the tournament against Cape Verde shared the reason behind that performance.

“I was personally fired up for this game and I wanted to take my team to the next level so I just sat back and thought of what I could give my team, what they need exactly from me and I think as a person I gave it all, all that they needed.

“I prepared very well, mentally, physically just that the ball didn’t bounce our way but I think I was better prepared for this game.”

Okello’s next assignment with the national side will be the FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers that start in November.

Uganda’s best run at the FIBA AfroBasket ended with Silverbacks’ quarterfinals exit at the 2021 tournament on Thursday night.

The Silverbacks of Uganda fell to Cape Verde 79-71 at Kigali Arena in a game head coach George Galanopoulos is convinced was winnable.

“There’s a lot of emotion right now,” Galanopoulos said in the post-game press conference flanked by one of Uganda’s best performers on the night James Okello. “When you really truly, with all your heart, believe that you are going to win and that you got the group to do it and you think there’s kind of divine power on your side and it doesn’t go that way, it’s a little disappointing.”

The Islanders’ center Walter Tavares troubled Silverbacks’ inside defense all night and the task of stopping the big man was designated to back up center James Okello who played his tournament-high 23 minutes.

“I’m definitely not disappointed in our effort. I have never been more proud of a group my entire life, their fight especially this guy right here (James Okello). He exemplifies everything that our team is all about. You saw him he is a 6’4” backup center battling his butt off with one of the best bigs in Europe arguably an NBA player 7’3” and to see just the fight that he put up every single possession it makes really proud and that’s a microcosm of what our team is all about.”

Galanopoulos says the game came down to Silverbacks failing to capitalize on the turnovers but feels the future of the national team is bright.

“I’m extremely excited for the future. I told the guys in the locker room they should be proud of themselves. I wish I could have done a little bit more personally to put them in positions to succeed, especially offensively today. I think the key of the game was our inability to capitalize off their turnovers. They had 22, we didn’t turn the ball over but we just didn’t shoot it well. Besides that, you can look at all the other numbers.”

Next up for Uganda are FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 qualifiers that start in November.

Uganda’s journey at the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 has come to an end.

Cape Verde held on to beat Silverbacks 79-71 at Kigali Arena on Thursday night to qualify for the semifinals.

The 2007 third-place finishers join Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia in the last four where they will face defending champions Tunisia on Saturday.

Cape Verde started the game with a couple of 3-pointers from Jeffrey Nunes Xavier and Joel Almeida. The Islanders took the lead to 8 points early in the game but the Silverbacks never fell far behind with the first quarter ending 24-20.

Guards Adam Seiko and Eric Rwahwirwe started the second quarter connecting from behind the arc and Uganda took the lead, 26-24. The rest of the period remained a close contest until late when Cape Verde scored 7 unanswered points in the final three minutes to go into the break leading 43-35.

Ivan Almeida and Fidel Mendonca opened the third quarter from beyond the arc and Cape Verde’s lead was into double figures, quickly ballooning to 15 points (53-38). However, Arthur Kaluma kept Uganda in the contest with a pair of 3-pointers.

Kieran Zziwa hit three free throws, Ishmail Wainright added a lay-up and the lead was cut down to single-digit. With Silverbacks trailing 51-57, Tony Drileba took too long to make the inbound pass turning over the ball and Xavier hit the three that took Cape Verde’s lead to 10 points (61-51) going into the fourth.

Sekouba Condé made a pair of free throws to start the fourth quarter but Seiko responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to pull Silverbacks within six points (59-63) forcing Cape Verde into a timeout. On return, Mendonca made a 3-pointer and Wainright had the answer at the other end, Kaluma added another and the lead was down to 3.

Despite trying their best to keep Tavares away from the basket, the 7’3” center troubled the Silverbacks down the stretch and proved to be the difference. The big man scored game-high 23 points and pulled down 15 rebounds.

Joel Almeida (17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Xavier (16 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists) hit some big shots for Cape Verde.

Kaluma played his best offensive game at the tournament, scoring team-high 21 points. Wainright had 13 points while Seiko scored 9.