In the 2026 NBL Season, each team shall be required to have an U21 player who must play at least 5 games.

This new rule states;

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.

So many people are excited about this new rule and this could help shape the future of the National team and the NBL by giving youngsters a platform to shine and grow.

Some teams may go out and look for the best players who can greatly impact the team while some teams will just put place holders, just to tick that box.

However, there are very many U21 Ugandan players available that can be put on any team.

In this article, we highlight some of the top talent that can help impact a team in the NBL.

Mpoza Abigail

The 2025 Regular season MVP has been a star performer in the NBL for 2 season now. She has a lot of experience in the league and will be one to win future MVP and Top Scorer accolades.

Abigail currently plays for Nabisunsa as she continues her development.

Shiphrah Kiranda

The U18 Youngster has been dominating in the FUBA Division One for 3 seasons and she won the Regular Season MVP award for the 2025 season.

Her game is so mature compared to what we are accustomed to with people of her age.

She is currently in her senior four vacation and we are not sure which direction she may take. For her, playing in the NBL would be huge as it would give her a bigger platform to showcase what she has.

It would also help her improve her game as she would be playing with and against the best players in the land.

Angella Auma

This is another youngster who has been playing in the NBL for 3 seasons with the Magic Stormers. She is one that can guarantee you points and when she gets in her zone from the 3-point line, nothing can stop her.

She has experience and in whatever team she goes, she’s ready to go.

Joy Auma

Auma also has 2 years’ experience in the NBL with Nabisunsa and her game has improved significantly. She was among the top forwards/centers in the 2025 NBL when it came to production.

The confidence is there and what would need to be worked upon is some more ball handling and shots so that she can be able to play other positions.

Nonetheless, she is among the few who are ready to go.

Melissa Taliba

If we are to go by size, Taliba is probably bigger than 90% of the forwards in the NBL despite still being only 18 years.

Her size makes her a big threat in the paint and she’s one that guarantees you rebounds.

She also has some experience in the league having played with the Buddo Mystiques in Division One.

We saw her play for the JKL Dolphins during the kiira 8 tournament and she put up decent performances.

Currently, she’s in her senior four vacation as she awaits what next.

Christine Namyalo

Namyalo is a certified scorer and has been doing her thing with the UPDF Lady Tomahawks in the NBL for 2 years.

In the 2024 season, she set the record for most consecutive games with 10+ points scored with 10 games.

She already knows her way around the league and will guarantee points for any teams she plays for.

Resty Nanangwe

Nanangwe was a sensation during the 2024 U18 Afrobasket and the qualifiers. She is one that was always focused on getting the basket and her finishing skills and composure around the rim surprised many.

Resty has no league experience and has been competing mainly in school competitions for St Noa.

However, we saw what she’s capable of and she is one that can impact any team in the NBL.

She’s still in high school and will be finishing very soon.

Maxine Anyango

The U18 Afrobasket Zone V qualifiers MVP is a player whose name is on the lips of very many people.

She’s versatile, can play number one, two and three but most importantly, she’s so calm and poised on the court.

Maxine also has no prior league experience and has been playing mainly in school competitions but she’s one that can instantly impact a team.

Bushira Namayanja

Just like Resty and Nanangwe, Bushira has also been playing mainly in school competitions with St Noa.

However, we saw what she is capable of during the 2024 U18 Afrobasket and there is no doubt that she will turn out into a future star.

She made her senior team (Gazelles) debut during the 2025 Afrobasket Zone V qualifiers against Kenya.

Bushira is one that can help impact any team in the NBL right now.

Ssengendo Mary Hazel

Mary Hazel burst onto the scene in 2024 in the Division One with the Nkumba Lady Marines. In 2025, she played in the NBL and was a very exciting player to watch.

Despite being in a relatively week team, Mary did her part and left many yearning to see her.

Numerous teams approached her in order to sign with them but she opted to stay with the Lady Marines.

However, with this U21 rule, she can be able to play in multiple divisions and a team in the NBL can be able to utilise her.

She is one that will guarantee you points be it from drives, cutting to the basket or shooting.

If she stays in Uganda, she will also be competing for MVP and Top scorer accolades in the future.

Mariam Namukwaya

Namukwaya was the 2024 MVP at the USSSA games and played in the 2025 NBL with the Miracle Eaglets.

She was among those very explosive players and managed to score 30+ points in multiple games.

Mariam showed a lot of maturity in her game and can be able to help any team in the NBL.

Honourable mentions

Martha Yikiru, Olivia Atima, Mwesigwa Shivan