The 2026 National basketball league (NBL) is less than 30 days from tip-off and there is a lot activity happening at the moment.

Numerous players are moving to different teams and trainings have already started.

In this article, we discuss the top 10 most valuable players (women) coming into the 2026 season.

Uwineza  Ninette

Ninette is the ultimate floor general and was the best performing point guard in the league last season.

Having played in the NBL for a while, she has amassed plenty of wealth in experience and knows her way around the league.

She leads on and off the court and is an extension of the coach on the floor. She is a person that can guide a team to success and she has done this before.

Ultimately, she’s one of the most valuable players in the league and will help whichever team she’s on to achieve success.

Lavin Auma

When we talk about beasts on the floor, Lavin Auma Owiti brought out that very well during the 2025 Division One playoffs as Pearl Queens cruised to a championship.

She was dominant on the floor, in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. Plus, she could shoot from distance and this made her more lethal.

Offensively, she seemed unstoppable while on defense, it was hard to go past her. Given her height and skill set, she is a very good asset for whichever team she will play on and will be very impactful.

Shillah Lamunu

In 2025, Shillah Lamunu is one of the players who travelled the most to play basketball more so 3×3. She played at the U23 World Cup, the Women’s series, Youth Nations League and FISU University 3×3 World Cup.

In all this, she garnered a lot of experience and we have seen her turn into a much better player in the 5v5.

Shillah was the most important player for the Lady Canons in the 2025 season and was utilized extensively in terms of minutes played.

Given her youthfulness, she is a person that can play heavy minutes and multiple games. She’s also very impactful on offense as she can command the floor, create her own offense but also create for others.

Defensively, we saw what she is capable of when Uganda played Egypt in the group stage game during the 2025 Afrobasket Zone V qualifiers. She disrupted the Egyptians offense and they didn’t know what to do for her.

At the moment, Shillah is probably the most valuable guard in the country given her age and skill set. She’s one that can play for a team now but also guarantee them production for the next couple of years.

Martina Anyango

Just like Shillah, Martina Anyango travelled a lot in 2025 and she got a lot of exposure.

Her footwork and finishing skillset in the paint greatly improved and she became very lethal.

At moment, she could be among the top 3 performers in the paint in the league. Given her age, she guarantees a team performance now and in the next few years.

Anyango has MVP potential and is one that will help the UCU Lady Canons greatly in the near future.

Mpoza Abigail

Abigail was the MVP of the 2025 season and this was not a fluke. She was outstanding throughout the season and helped Nabisunsa avoid relegation.

Mpoza was also the top scorer during the regular season and she averaged the most points in the league (almost 20 points).

Abigail would play numerous roles for the team, sometimes being the primary ball handler and other times playing either 2 or 3. This versatility helped her a lot and her growth in the game has been tremendous.

She is undoubtedly Nabisunsa’s most important player and many teams will be looking to sign her as soon as she’s done with her senior six.

Joy Auma

This name is not very famous but she was one of the best performers for Nabisunsa in the NBL. Matter of fact, she was among the top 5 players in terms of production for forwards in the league.

Joy was a big presence in the paint and her athleticism helped her fight for rebounds. Her ability to shoot the three is also another weapon in her arsenal and she used this a number of times.

By the time the 2026 season ends, her name will be on the lips of many and undoubtedly, she will make the U18 Gazelles team for the U18 Afrobasket.

Mercy Batamuliza

Batamuliza was the 2025 NBL defensive player of the year and has been named in the team of the season in back-to-back seasons.

Despite not having so much experience in the game, her growth has been tremendous. She guarantees a team rebounds and her scoring has taken a leap.

Additionally, we saw glimpses of her bringing down the ball a couple of times and also making very incredible assists.

For whichever team she plays, there is no doubt that she is a starter and definitely one that gives value for money.

2026 will be a very big year for her because some people have tipped her for the Gazelles. She has to prove that her skillset is on that level and this will be the year to do that ahead of the 2027 Afrobasket.

Sharon Kirabo

When you are called to the National Team, this is a sign that you are among the best Ugandan players, not only in the land but also the diaspora.

Sharon was with the Gazelles at the 2025 Women’s Afrobsket and that is testament to what she brings on the court.

She is very energetic, will fight on the floor all day, can drive, create for herself and others and also shoot the three.

This is a player that can be used in multiple positions and her ability to play very well on both ends of the floor make her a very valuable asset.

Tracy Namugosa

The reigning FISU University 3×3 World Cup MVP is one of those that have got range in terms of abilities on offense. She is a certified bucket getter and every time she’s on the floor, you know that she can do something magical. 

Tracy continually works to better herself as a player and that makes her even more dangerous. In 2024 while with the UCU Lady Canons, we saw her ball handling improve significantly and is a person that you can rely on in pressure situations.

Also, defensively, she’s got the dawg in her and is unafraid to do the dirty work. This makes her very valuable for whichever team she plays on and it was no surprise that she made it to the Gazelles squad for the 2025 Afrobasket.

Tamasha Nsubuga

Regarded as the next Brenda Ekon, Tamasha Nsubuga has turned herself into a very valuable asset for the JKL Lady Dolphins. She guarantees you points and every time she runs a fast break, better count the basket.

Word has it that a couple of players may leave the JKL Lady Dolphins and if that is the case, Tamasha will now be their star player.

She’s a student of the game who is always willing to learn and work hard and has potential of being the next star in Ugandan basketball.

Her value will be very huge if she stays with JKL and becomes the face of the club.  She is one who will be contending for multiple Top scorer awards in the future.

Honourable mentions

Ines Kanyamuneza, Evelyne Nakiyingi, Rebecca Susan Aanyu, Akello Winnifred and Stella Marris Lunkuse.

Note: Hope Akello is the most valuable player in Uganda basing on what she offers on the court. However, she’s currently playing in morocco and we are not sure if she will be playing in the NBL.