The competition rules and regulations were revised ahead of the 2026 NBL.

Not so much has changed but 2 very important areas stood out and will have a major impact one trajectory of the league and Ugandan basketball.

Foreign Player Rule

This was amended to;

During registration in the e-registration portal, a club/team will register a maximum of only four (4) foreign players. On a game day, a club/team will be permitted to register and utilize a maximum of four (4) foreign players on game day for NBL and only three (3) foreign players for the lower leagues. In case of doubt on the nationality of a player, they will be asked to present a passport.

Previously, a team could have a maximum 4 foreign players but only 3 could be utilized on game day.

As a result, we saw a number of players having to move to different teams in order for them to get playing time. Some other players missed out on playing in multiple games because of this law.

This will make things a bit easier as teams can utilize all of their foreign players but that applies only to the NBL.

The status quo will not change in the lower leagues.

Double licensing

All NBL Teams shall/must register at least one (1) U21 on the final roaster. The said player must be a Ugandan National aged between seventeen (17) and twenty-one (21) years of Age. This player is eligible to play a minimum of Five (5) games during the season and shall be licensed to also play in the Lower league by a team that agrees to sign him or her.

This is a phenomenal that is similar to one that was introduced by FUFA a while back.

It allows young prospects to get playing time in the lower leagues while also getting some NBL experience.

Players like Shiphrah Kiranda, who has been dominating in the lower league, can get a chance to get NBL experience while still playing in the lower league.

That could be an avenue for young prospects to get their opportunity and platform to showcase their skills on a big platform.

This regulation has one problem though. Section 3.01 (f) states that’s, a player cannot hold a license with more than one club at the same time.

So how can a player have a double license?

There have been a number of rules and regulations that have been amended but these are up there among the most important.

How they affect the trajectory of the league, we shall be waiting to see.

The NBL is expected to tip-off on 6th February. Player registration is currently ongoing.