With the 3-1 defeat in the 2026 semifinal series to Seeta High, this Makerere Sparks era has come to an end. This was seen as the era in which Makerere could finally return to the NBL but that goal was never achieved.

Arrival of Mavita Ali

This era of the Makerere Sparks can be called the Mavita era. This is because, before her, the Sparks program had been dead. The team existed but it was on vibes and Inshallah. When Mavita came, she immediately set rules and most of the team left. Only 6 players remained and they were the ones that played the final 5 games of the 2023 season.

However, when freshers joined the University, Coach Mavita had a plan. She made open tryouts and from there, a couple of players were who would later become the backbone of the team were selected. These included Mercy Ageno, Denize Nabugasha, Afuwa Nabawanga, Faridah Nakyanzi and more.  Most of these players had not played many competitive games and their skill levels were very low, next to nonexistent. The coach had to work hard to make sure that they were refined. They went on to play the 2023 AUUS games at UCU.

League Debut

In 2024, the players played in the league for the first time. In the first round, Makerere registered just 8 players. This was because the team had registered late and they were allowed just 8 slots. As soon as the first round had started, one of the players chickened out. As thus, the team consisted of just 7 players playing in the league. These got to have as much playing time as possible and they got to make all the mistakes that they could make. It was “learning on the job.”

In the second round, the Sparks added 3 players; Viola Nakazibwe, Linda Niiwo and Penninah Ojok. These were all improvements because despite having just started to play basketball that year, Viola was perhaps the second best player for the Sparks. She had size and a lot of strength. She managed to leverage that and helped Sparks a lot. Penninah Ojok was on loan from JKL and her skillset was ahead of most of the players that Makerere had at that time. The same applied to Linda. She could do things (on the ball) better than most of the players that were at Sparks.

Makerere managed to make the playoffs and was eliminated by Our Savior Banyabo in the quarterfinals. After that defeat, the team was not sad or angry but there was joy. This was because the team had pushed Our Savior to the wall and despite not getting the win, positive signs were being shown. That gave the team a lot of hope in the future.

• End of the Mavita era at Makerere Sparks
• Seeta High defeat Makerere Sparks to secure NBL promotion
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• Akena, Odokonyero shine as KIU Titans take 2-1 lead against YMCA: Division One Semifinals
• Watoto avoid sweep as they extend the series: Division One semifinals

Bronze medalists

In the camp, there was belief that Makerere had a chance to do well in the 2025 season. However, Makerere was below YMCA, Pearl Queens, Victoria She Crocs and Kampala University. In order to make it to the NBL, they had to go through at least one of these teams which was not going to be easy. To make matters worse, Ayak Madalen, Nakazibwe and Linda Niiwo all left. Ayak and Viola had been among the team’s best performers whereas Linda was seen as the person who would carry the team that season.

In the first round, Makerere lost just 4 games and they were all against those 4 teams. However, the situation became bad in the second. They lost a multitude of games but still qualified for the playoffs. Makerere defeated Lady Jills in the quarterfinals. This was their first playoff series win in ages. The team then fell to Victoria She Crocs 3-1 in the semifinals. They went on to defeat Kampala University in the third place game to win Bronze.

The climax season

2026 was supposed to be the year that Makerere made it to the NBL. Everything looked good except for one thing, Coach Mavita had left. That means that the team had to find a new coach and Olivia Mulwana got the job. However, before her arrival, a team had been made assembled.  The mission was clear, get promoted to the NBL.

Seeta High defeat Makerere Sparks to secure NBL promotion

I, the writer, together with Vincent Mutahunga and Mark Ngobi had brought in some players. These would fit in the system of the team and also address weaknesses that the team had had from the season before. Blessing Namugerwa and Margaret Nassali were added to help in the back court while Apuk Dium, Ayen Priscilla and Purity Lamara were to help in the front. In addition to what the team had, this was seen as the squad that could win it all.

In the first round, the Sparks were unbeaten. However, in the second, they lost 4 games. The loss which had the biggest effect was the one to Kampala University in the final regular season game. That defeat meant that the Sparks would finish as the number 2 seed in the path of St Cyprian, Seeta and Nkumba.

In the quarterfinals, Makerere won 2-1 but it was a very tough series. They then won game one of the semifinals but the high school side won 3 straight to win the series 3-1. That defeat meant that Makerere missed their opportunity of making it to the NBL and will play in Division one for yet another season.

A very disappointing season

There was high hope in the team from the beginning. Also, this is like a missed opportunity for going to the NBL. For context, Seeta High won just 3 games in the first round. However, they made 3 key additions and those turned out to be the difference. Makerere had to get better in the second round but they never did. As other teams made significant additions, Makerere was on vibes.

Ultimately, this turned out to be what led them down. A season that started with so much promise ended in heartache. When you look at the competition this year, it was the weakest it had been and this was a very big opportunity for Sparks. However, it was blown.

End of the Road.

For most of the players, this is the end of their journey with Makerere Sparks. It will be very hard to see them play another year there. Mercy Ageno got a serious injury and she could be out for more than a year. Afuwa, Denize and Sora all finished their courses. Apuk Dium, Ayen Priscilla, Purity Lamara, Blessing Namugerwa, Nassali Margaret, Lakareber Joan and Nyakato Martha are all not Makerere students. They will probably find a new path.

The only Makerere students remaining are Narot Harriet, Nalwoga Jovia, Estaphania Oyella, Esther Kiire and Nakyanzi Faridah. Of those, Nakyanzi Faridah was the only one to play in all the 4 games in the semifinals. Esther played in none while the other 3 played a handful of minutes.

It is very hard to see this squad of players continue together. The reason is because with the majority not being at campus, it is very hard to have training more so when you are not paid or given transport subsidies. The players that are still students were not very key on the court this year and it is very hard to build on them more so when they are also in their final year.

What should Makerere Sparks do?

The team’s cycle came to an end. What Makerere has to do is to start from scratch. If they can get new players, those in year one and s6 vacation, they can build on that. After 2 years, the team will have grown.

The most important thing the team needs though is an experienced coach. A coach who can teach the game and is very patient. That will help the team a lot. If they want to make quick fixes, it may cost them a lot of money and yield disappointment.

Secondly key recruitment. Makerere has to be able to give scholarships. With many top high school players going to other Universities and teams, Makerere gets crumbs or even nothing. The administration has to be deliberate on attracting the top talent. Scouting, giving scholarships and allowances are good places to start. If those options are not explored, Makerere Sparks will remain in an abyss.