Finally, the Namuwongo Blazers will represent Uganda at the Basketball Africa League (Road to B.A.L) 2026.

This comes after a decision was made during a meeting between the final four teams, Sommet, City Oilers, Namuwongo Blazers, UCU Canons and the FUBA EXCOM on 19th September at the Uganda Olympic Committe offices in Lugogo.

In this meeting, it was unanimously agreed that the Namuwongo Blazers should represent Uganda at the upcoming Road to BAL.

This came after, the last season’s champions, the City Oilers, and the other 2 semi-finalists, Sommet and UCU Canons, showed no interest in participating at the competition.

It was also been resolved that this year’s (2025) NBL Champion will not represent Uganda at any FIBA Club competition.

Other resolutions

That the 2026 NBL Season shall start in January and end in July 2027 to allow us get a representative for Road to BAL 2027.

The NBL Champion of 2026 will
represent Uganda at the Road to BAL 2027 and the same criteria shall be followed moving forward unless otherwise amended by the FUBA Rules and Regulations.

This is big news for the Namuwongo Blazers as this was one of their goals since the BAL started.

In 2023, they pulled out in the playoffs in protest after FUBA awarded the City Oilers the ticket on basis of being the champions the year before.

In 2024, they were eliminated in the semifinals by the KIU Titans.

2022 is when they came very close, having pushed the Oilers to a game 7 but lost this game.

Despite their selection/nomination not being entirely on merit, they will not mind that.

All eyes now turn to the 2025 National Basketball League (NBL) which they hope to win and end the City Oilers reign.

They take on the UCU Canons in Game 2 on Friday 19th and they come into this game while leading the series 1-0.

The other game is between Sommet and the City Oilers but the former lead the series 1-0.

Despite having already secured their ticket to the Road to BAL, Canons the Namuwongo Blazers win the NBL Championship?