Ugandan basketball’s biggest showdown, the National Basketball League (NBL) Finals — has been thrown into chaos after the Namuwongo Blazers threatened to withdraw from their highly anticipated clash with reigning champions City Oilers.
Just days before the opening tipoff, scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Lugogo Indoor Arena, the Blazers released an official statement declaring their refusal to play unless the start date is pushed back to October 26 the date they claim was previously agreed upon with the federation.
“Namuwongo Blazers remains committed to honouring the October 26 start date as previously agreed and communicated,” the club’s statement read, sparking widespread tension across Uganda’s basketball community.
The standoff stems from a scheduling dispute following the Blazers’ participation in the Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2026 Qualifiers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. To accommodate their continental commitments, the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) had initially granted a postponement of the finals. However, while the Blazers were still competing in Tanzania, new fixtures circulated online showing the opening game had been brought forward to October 24 a move the club described as “a breach of agreement and a disruption to fair competition.”
According to Blazers officials, the abrupt change left them scrambling with travel logistics, recovery time, and preparation for what could be their most important series in history. The club also criticized FUBA’s communication practices, accusing the federation of inconsistency and poor transparency in handling elite competitions.
The uncertainty now clouds what was meant to be the climax of the 2025 basketball season a blockbuster Oilers-Blazers rivalry that had promised packed stands and national attention. Unless the two parties reach an agreement soon, Uganda’s basketball fans could be deprived of the finals they have waited all year to witness.
