Namuwongo Blazers have bolstered their roster with two key additions, Nigerian-Malaysian power forward Toluwalope Joseph Obasa and American-Malaysian guard John Murry, as they prepare to represent Uganda at the 2026 Division East Road to Basketball Africa League tournament in Tanzania.
The competition runs from October 17 to 19 in Dar es Salaam and will feature three confirmed teams so far, including Burundi’s Dynamo and Tanzania’s Dar City.
The Blazers will be making their debut appearance at the qualifiers after being confirmed as Uganda’s representatives during a meeting held on September 19 at the Uganda Olympic Committee offices.
The decision came after last season’s champions, City Oilers, along with UCU Canons and Sommet, declined to participate.
Obasa, born in 1999, brings size and presence to the paint.
Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, he previously played for Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines and featured in professional leagues in Malaysia and the Philippines. His career began at MPAC Sports Academy, which set the foundation for his rise across Asia.
Murry, 30, joins the Blazers with experience from multiple leagues across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The Austin Peay State University graduate averaged 17.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during his college career. He last played for Negeri Sembilan Matrix in the Malaysian MBL and is represented by 6th Man Basketball Agency.
Their arrival gives the Blazers much-needed depth as they target progression to the Elite 16 stage, where the top teams from the Division East tournament will advance in November.
The East Division Elite 16 round will run from November 18 to 23, with the best finishers moving on to the 2026 BAL final phase in Kigali, Rwanda.
For Namuwongo, who are still chasing their first national league title, this is a chance to make history and put Ugandan basketball back on the continental stage after City Oilers impressed in previous campaigns.
