After years of building their name in the National Basketball League, the Namuwongo Blazers are stepping onto continental hardwood determined to prove they belong among Africa’s elite. Their debut in the Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers marks not just another competition — it’s the next chapter in the club’s rise from Kampala’s fast-growing basketball scene.
The Blazers open their campaign today against hosts Dar City at the IST Gymnasium in Dar es Salaam — a side already buzzing after a 102–50 demolition of Comoros’ Djabal. That emphatic result, fuelled by Raphiael Putney’s 55-point explosion, underlines the test awaiting the Ugandan outfit.
To back up that belief, the Blazers have assembled a squad blending experience with new firepower. Jimmy Enabu, James Okello, and Ivan Muhwezi bring the poise and knowledge of former BAL campaigns, while new signings Joseph Obasa, Bereal Jaycson Ray, and John Murry II inject athleticism and scoring versatility.
The addition of former national team center Henry Malinga to the technical team adds another layer of tactical insight, as the Blazers look to balance their inside-out game and defensive discipline.
While injury sidelines guard Tonny Drileba, his presence remains vital from the bench in a mentor-player capacity — a role that reflects the Blazers’ growing maturity as a team built for both now and the future.
Victory today would push the Blazers closer to a place in the Elite 16 round slated for November — a milestone that would mark a major step toward Uganda’s continued representation in the prestigious BAL.
For Namuwongo, this is more than a game; it’s a statement of intent — a declaration that their time on the African stage has finally arrived.
