On Tuesday 1st July, a 13-woman Gazelles team was announced for the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket in Abidjan.

The team was received with a lot of mixed reactions from the fans as there were some changes from the qualifiers squad in February.

In case you don’t pick much from this article, here’s one thing that should stick with you:

“The squad is solid and you should be confident in Uganda finishing high”

Most of the expected starting players on this team are also part of the team that played at the last edition in Kigali and the qualifiers in Egypt.

This means that there is continuation in the team and all these players are very familiar with each others’ game.

Jane Asinde

Asinde is very vital to the team because of what she brings to the table.

She can bring down the ball, can score at a high level, has a lot of experience, very good in the post and is feared by opponents.

It is no wonder that she is the captain but her fearlessness on the court is something that makes her standout.

She will undoubtedly perform just like she has always done.

Paige Robinson

When Jannon Otto got hurt, so many Ugandans were very disappointed but after what Paige Robinson showed us in the qualifiers, there is a lot of trust in her.

Paige can point the ball if you need her to, we saw that during the qualifiers.

She can score at a high level, catch and shoot, off the dribble, drive to the basket, whichever way you ask her.

She also creates for other people and this make her a very big threat.

There no doubt that she will be among the top scorers and will help  Uganda a lot more so on offense.

Shakirah Nanvubya

After that performance at the qualifiers, Shakirah cemented her position as the starting point guard on the team.

Her ability to protect the ball, create for others, make drives when need be and be able to shoot 3’s also makes her a big threat.

In the league this year, she hasn’t consistently performed like that but one would hope that she will be able to perform the way she did in February.

Hope Akello

The reigning league MVP has been at the international stage on numerous occasions.

She has a lot of experience and one thing is for sure, she’s never afraid of the moment.

Hope brings size, scoring in the post, good defense on the big men and ability to fight for rebounds.

Recently, we saw her take a couple of 3-point shots and that can make her even more lethal if they can drop.

Mellissa Akullu

Perhaps the most athletic big man on the team. She will fight for every rebound and will get some put backs for you.

Mellissa has also been at this stage before and she knows what it takes to win.

Claire Lamunu

The veteran of the team and the most experienced.

Claire brings leadership and most importantly, she knows what it takes to win.

She will also help a lot in the paint more so when it comes to fighting for rebounds.

Her size gives her an advantage but most importantly, she has been in such tournaments time and time again and she’s knows what to do and when to do what.

Evelyne Nakiyingi

Evelyne has not been apart of the team since the 2023 Championship in Rwanda.

Her inclusion came as a surprise but her performances will not be.

She has been perhaps the best point guard in the country for the last 2 years and she brings a lot to the table.

Defensively, she can slide very well and can lock down an opponent which is very good.

Offensively, she swift and very quick and her ability to read defenses and execute fast will come in handy in tight games.

Every time she attacks, you have to be aware of the off the dribble jumper as she uses it a lot.

Perus Nyamwenge

Perus trained with the team ahead of the qualifiers but missed out due to work commitments.

This time around, she is expected to make her debut and could also be a key piece.

Nyamwenge is a combo guard but predominantly a 2. You don’t want her on the ball a lot as she is more lethal off it.

Perus scores a lot in transition and can also be a threat on the perimeter.

Tracy Namugosa

Namugosa is one of the players that make very good defensive reads and gets multiple steals.

She also scores a lot in transition and in case you need someone to drive to the basket and draw fouls, she is your guy.

Sharon Kirabo

Kirabo has a lot of abilities and she can be used as a utility player.

She’s very good on the drive and if you put her against a small man, she can go to work in the post.

Sharon also shoots threes and that makes her extremely dangerous.

Agatha Kamwada

One thing we know about Kamwada is that she is a horse on defense.

She will fight for every loose ball, hound her man and make it very difficult for them to even get the ball.

She’s the kind that you will put in to stop a particular player from the opposing team.

Offensively, she is lethal when given space as she can explode from behind the arc.

Jamila Nansinkombi

Nansinkombi can play 1-3 and we all saw that at the qualifiers.

She brings a lot of energy and will fight and leave it all on the floor.

Sometimes you need a person like that as they can lift the spirits of the team.

No doubt Zama will be an integral part of this team.

Wasswa Mya

Not so many of us have see her in action but by the time she is selected, it shows that the coaches see something in her.

As per Albert Ahabwe, she is a combo guard and most of us are waiting to see what she can deliver.

One of these players will be dropped but at the moment, the coaches are still assessing.

The team shall start training camp on Thursday 3rd at Africa Bible University in Lubowa.

Uganda is in Pool C with Guinea and Senegal and these are sides they defeated at the last championship.

The pool winner advances straight to the quarter-finals while number 2 and 3 go through a play off against number 3 and 2 in pool D.

Pool D comprises of Nigeria, Rwanda and Mozambique.

Uganda vs Guinea 27th July

Uganda vs Senegal 28th July