The JT Lady Jaguars etched their name into Ugandan basketball history on Thursday night after reaching their maiden National Basketball League (NBL) Finals, following a dominant 59-43 win over the Magic Stormers at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
What began as a nervy contest quickly turned into a statement performance for the Jaguars, who showed grit, composure, and defensive intensity to complete a 3-0 sweep in the best-of-five semifinal series.
Despite the Stormers’ bright start — powered by early baskets from Angella Auma and Christine Nakito — the Jaguars’ sharp shooting from deep, particularly Brenda Kayaga’s back-to-back three-pointers, flipped the momentum. Auma’s buzzer-beater kept the Stormers within a single point (15-14) at the end of the first quarter, but that was as close as they would get.
The game took a decisive turn when the Stormers lost key forward Kur Ajah to injury late in the second quarter, disrupting their rhythm on both ends. The Lady Jaguars seized control, with Rhoda Naggita converting crucial free throws that stretched their lead heading into the final period.
From there, it was all Jaguars. Their defense tightened, holding the Stormers to just six points in the fourth quarter — a testament to their discipline and hunger. Naggita and Kayaga led from the front with 14 points apiece, while Mercy Batamuliza (20 rebounds) and Sarah Ageno (14 rebounds) dominated the boards to ensure second-chance opportunities were few for the opponents.
For the Stormers, Auma (11 points) and Nakito (14 rebounds) fought bravely, but the team’s turnovers and missed opportunities proved costly.
With the win, the Lady Jaguars not only advance to the finals for the first time in their history but also send a strong message to whoever awaits them in the championship showdown — they are no longer the league’s dark horse, but a genuine contender for the crown.
