National Basketball league Friday
Lady Jaguars v Lady Canons 7pm
UCU Canons v Namblazers 9pm
The spotlight returns to the National Basketball League (NBL) this Friday, June 27, as the unbeaten Namuwongo Blazers face one of their biggest tests yet against the determined UCU Canons at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
Riding a flawless 16-0 record, the Blazers sit comfortably atop the standings with 33 points. But as the regular season enters a critical stretch, their quest for an undefeated campaign faces a genuine threat. Many eyes are on UCU Canons—one of the few teams believed capable of derailing the Blazers’ dominant march.
Namuwongo enter the clash after a gritty double-header weekend that tested both their firepower and resilience. On Saturday, June 21, they dispatched the KIU Titans with a commanding 84-63 win, fueled by a blistering start that left their opponents reeling. But it was Sunday’s showdown against Rezlife Saints that truly revealed their mettle.
Trailing by six in the third quarter and still five points behind with just over seven minutes to play, the Blazers flipped the script in emphatic fashion. A stunning 21-0 scoring burst turned the tide, sealing an 80-70 comeback victory and reinforcing their reputation as the league’s most mentally tough side.
Veteran forward James Okello anchored the win with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while Henry Ssebagala was unstoppable, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the field to finish with 13 points.
As they prepare for UCU, the Blazers will again turn to their core of in-form stars—Okello, Ssebagala, Moses Mugisha, Peter Obleng, and Tonny Drileba—alongside their newest weapon, sharpshooter Ivan Muhwezi, whose addition only deepens an already potent squad.
But the Canons aren’t short on confidence either. They come into this match after a morale-boosting 66-59 win over the JKL Dolphins—a victory that kept them firmly in the playoff race. With 27 points, UCU are currently fourth, level with the JT Jaguars and just a single point ahead of both the Victoria Crocs and Kampala Rockets.
UCU will be looking to strong individual performances once again, especially from Joel Kayiira, who recorded a double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) in their last outing. Stephen Wokorach and Jimmy Otim also played key roles, chipping in with 10 points apiece.
This matchup is more than a top-four battle—it’s a collision of ambition, momentum, and pride. Can the Blazers extend their historic run? Or will the Canons deliver the upset that reshapes the title race?
In the Women’s League: JT Lady Jaguars, UCU Lady Canons Set for Crucial Clash
Friday’s action also features a heavyweight duel in the women’s division as the high-flying JT Lady Jaguars take on the surging UCU Lady Canons.
UCU arrive in top form, having notched second-round wins over two title contenders—JKL Lady Dolphins and KCCA Leopards—before overcoming Magic Stormers 60-53 in midweek. Their recent surge has reignited their playoff hopes, and they currently sit fourth.
But standing in their way is the league-leading Lady Jaguars, who crushed KIU Rangers 85-54 in their latest outing. That win was powered by a monster performance from Mercy Batamuliza, who delivered 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 steals—one of the best individual displays of the season.
With 14 wins from 17 games, the Lady Jaguars top the standings, but UCU’s form suggests this will be anything but routine. Both teams have everything to play for—one chasing a regular season crown, the other fighting to stay in the playoff zone.
Excellent article. Thanks for the updates