Often times, there is a notion that people don’t want to support women’s sports (in this case the NBL) but have you ever wondered why?

Well, there are very many factors that fall into this, some of which are caused by the players, teams, and how women’s sports is in general but others are just due to negligence.

I will give you an example, the scheduling. Scheduling is very important because you know the days when multitudes will be watching and interested.

That is your opportunityto showcase the best you have got. It is like when visitors come, you get to be on your best behaviour so as to leave a good impression.

In the 2026 NBL first round, there is something weird that I noticed. Most of the top games will not be played during prime time and may not even be shown on TV.

The repeat of the 2025 NBL Finals between JKL Lady Dolphins and the JT Lady Jaguars will be played on Sunday at midday.

I mean, these are perhaps the two best teams in the country and you schedule them to play on a Sunday, moreover at noon.Who will watch them?

At that time, people are usually at church or at home doing other things.

Such a game is meant for the big stage. On a Friday, when the whole world is watching. This is a game that has a lot of talking points and putting it on Sunday, at midday undermines the size of the game and the players.

Another game is the JKL Lady Dolphins versus the UCU Lady Canons. This game is scheduled for Saturday 21st March at midday. Once again, these are title contenders, how can their game be put on a Saturday moreover at midday?

The games after theirs are, UPDF Tomahawks vs UMU Flames, Sommet vs Rezlife Saints and Nam Blazers vs JKL Dolphins.

Surely, none of those games is better or bigger that JKL Lady Dolphins vs UCU Lady Canons. Even if, say, they played that Saturday, their game should be either the last or second last but to be honest, that is a Friday fixture. That is the weight which it carries.

JKL Lady Dolphins vs the KCCA Leopards is also on Saturday 7th February at midday. KCCA Leopards vs KIU Rangers is on Sunday 22nd March at 2 pm.

JT Lady Jaguars vs Magic Stormers, Sunday 1st March at midday. JT Lady Jaguars vs KIU Rangers, Saturday 7thMarch at midday.

The 2025 third place playoff rematch between UCU lady Canons and the Magic Stormers shall also be on Saturday 14th February. Weirdly, this game is at midday while Victoria She Crocs vs UPDF Lady Tomahawks comes after. Which is the bigger game? Make it make sense.

For context, there are 9 Friday games in the first round. Of these, newly promoted Pearl Queens will be playing in 5 of the 9 fixtures.

Where have you seen that? A newly promoted team playing on the biggest stage? Moreover in the opening game. Actually, the first 2 friday fixtures. Come on.

All the games that Pearl Queens plays against the top 5 teams from the 2025 season, they are on Friday. To me, this is saying they are big like that and I think it is wrong. The team hasn’t earned to be at this stage this many times, let alone once.

Another newly promoted side, Victoria She Crocs, doesn’t have any games on Friday. What is the difference between the two teams?

The same goes for five other teams, Nabisunsa, KIU Rangers, Miracle Eaglets, Angels, and UPDF Lady Tomahawks. All these teams have been in the NBL and they don’t get a chance to play on the big stage but somehow a new side gets 5 of the 9 days. That doesn’t make sense.

If we want people to be keen about women’s basketball in Uganda, put the best games in the prime time. People will get interested. But if we are not deliberate on trying to showcase our best, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot.

If you look at the men, all the Friday games are top. Nam Blazers vs City Oilers, Nam Blazers vs UCU, UCU vs JT Jaguars, UCU vs Sommet, Nam Blazers vs JT Jaguars, Sommet vs City Oilers, City Oilers vs UCU Canons, JT Jaguars vs City Oilers and Nam Blazers vs Sommet.

In all these games, we don’t see UMU Flames, UPDF Tomahawks, Victoria Crocs, Kampala Rockets and the rest. This is because they don’t belong on this stage, yet.

If we can schedule fantastic Friday games for the men, can’t this also happen for the women? We need to see the best of the best on the big stage. That is all I’m saying.

I know that scheduling is a very hectic job but if we are serious about promoting our women, we need to do better.

My hope is that the Friday fixtures can be adjusted and the big games be put there.