Namuwongo Blazers will not take part in Game One of the National Basketball League Finals scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, accusing the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) of poor communication and dishonoring an earlier agreement.
In a statement signed by Chief Executive Officer Daniel Muttu Obol, the club said they’d only on Sunday, October 26, the date they say was officially confirmed by FUBA on October 3.
The federation’s General Secretary had written to the club approving the adjustment to accommodate the Blazers’ participation in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) qualifiers in Dar es Salaam.
However, the fixture dates for the finals were then released, scheduling Game One for Friday, October 24 and Game Two for Sunday, October 26.
The club says it was surprised to see a new fixture circulating on social media while still competing in Tanzania, indicating that the finals would now begin on Friday.
The Blazers argue that the change was never communicated officially and contradicts FUBA’s earlier confirmation.
“On October 20, FUBA explained that the adjustment was due to our qualification for Elite 16, but the unofficial fixture was already out before we even qualified,” the statement reads. “This reason is unacceptable and farfetched.”
The club accuses FUBA of inconsistency and poor governance, noting that the reversal undermines fair competition and disregards the team’s logistical realities following their continental campaign.
FUBA’s Competition Council Chairperson, Donan Byabazaire, later stated that the October 26 date was only a suggestion and not the final decision of the federation.
The Blazers described the response as disappointing and disrespectful to the spirit of the game.
Namuwongo Blazers maintain that they will only honour the October 26 fixture and have urged FUBA to uphold its commitments.
The standoff now places the start of the finals series against defending champions City Oilers in uncertainty, with fans and teams awaiting the federation’s next move to prevent disruption of the league’s climax.
