Namuwongo Blazers smack City Oilers by 26 points: 2026 NBL

The Namuwongo Blazers made statement victory after thumping the City Oilers 76-50 in the second round.

May 23, 2026

3–5 minutes

2026 NBL, city oilers, Namuwongo Blazers, National Basketball League

The defending champions, Namuwongo Blazers, delivered a statement victory in the second round of the 2026 NBL, defeating rivals City Oilers 76-50 at the Lugogo Arena on Friday 22nd May.

Coming into this game, the City Oilers had lost just one game that came at the hands of the Rezlife saints in the first round.

On the other hand, the Namuwongo Blazers had lost 2 games; the season opener against the Oilers and their previous game against the Rezlife Saints. As thus, there was a lot of pressure on them; to get revenge and to also return to winning ways. This was also an opportunity for them to reassure their fans that they are the best team in the land.

Another layer that made this fixture juicy was the new signing. Silverbacks’ star and now, City Oilers center, Jonathan Komagum was going to be in action. Many people had never seen him play in person and this was an opportunity for them. The Blazers also had Tembo, who was the best 3-pointer shooter in 2024 and a key figure for Sommet in 2025, set to play. A lot of the fans came out to see which team would look better with the new signings.

In the first quarter, both teams went pound for pound and the Blazers led 16-14 alsothough they never scored in the final 2 minutes of the quarter. Despite that, there was composure all round and the game was starting to get feisty.

Halfway the second quarter, the Blazers intensified their defense and starting causing all sorts of problems for the Oilers. They also made a 10-1 run to take a 10-point lead with just under 3 minutes to go but all this started with the defense. They made a lot of switches and made sure to make their paint a no go zone. City Oilers scored just 2 field goals in the Blazers paint in the second quarter but they managed to sink 3 triples.

At the halftime break, the Namuwongo Blazers led the game 36-30 but many awaited to see if the Oilers could be able to find a way around the defense and aggression that the Blazers had employed in the second quarter.

In the second half, the Blazers feasted on the Oilers. The 2 teams were miles apart and nothing pointed to the Oilers getting a positive result. In the first 3 and final 3 minutes of the third quarter, the City Oilers did not score a point. They only managed 9 points in the entire quarter while the Blazers scored 9 points in the first 3 minutes of the quarter.

Coming into the fourth quarter, the game was 54-39 in favour of the Blazers and hopes of a comeback were very far from reality. In the first 4 minutes of the final period, Namuwongo made a 13-3 run to take a 25-point lead and surely, it was game over.

There was no way back for the Oilers and the Namuwongo Blazers on the game 76-50.

Talking Points

Jonathan Komagum was one of the many players that fans wanted to see. Given that he is a national team player, people thought that he would dominate but he dropped a stinker. He looked helpless out there and at some point, he got frustrated shoved Jimmy Enabu and ultimately given an unsportsmanlike foul. He is a person that needs to do better.

The 3-point shooting for the Oilers was also a source of concern. The Blazers knew were the threat was, from Fayed Baale and Titus. The 2 scored just 3 of their 16 attempts from the 3-point line. The entire Oilers team scored 5 of the 28 3-point attempts. Namuwongo was out to contest the shots but also not allow the threats to get in rhythm.

The Blazers once again showed that they can be able to elevate their game defensively. They have a lot of athletic players who can pick rebounds but also defense the perimeter at a high level. Namuwongo also has a lot of players that can strike from distance.