JKL Lady Dolphins are once again queens of Ugandan basketball, sealing the 2025 Women’s National Basketball League championship with a 69–68 win over first-time finalists JT Lady Jaguars on Sunday, November 2, at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The victory closed the series 4–1, securing JKL’s third consecutive crown and fifth in six years, a record that puts them within three titles of UCU Lady Canons’ all-time eight championships tally.
It also underlined a simple truth in the women’s game: JKL know how to win when it matters most.
After dropping Game One, the Dolphins regrouped with four straight victories built on experience, defense, and composure under pressure. Game Five reflected all three.
With 20 seconds left and JKL ahead 67–63, Jaguars guard Brenda Kayaga struck with a driving layup to trim the deficit to two.
But JKL’s response was immediate. Ritah Imanishimwe broke through an inattentive defense to restore the lead at 69–65 with 18 seconds remaining.
Then, in a desperate final play, Rhoda Nagitta hit a three-pointer for the Jaguars, cutting the score to 69–68. But it was too late. The clock ran out, and the Lady Dolphins had their title.
Hope Akello led the champions once more, registering 14 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals, and was later named Playoffs MVP for a record fourth consecutive time.
Imanishimwe and Becky Keren Longom chipped in with 11 points each as JKL’s bench produced a telling 37 points.
The Dolphins dominated inside, scoring 32 points in the paint and 18 off second chances, fueled by Akello’s relentless work on the offensive glass.
For the Jaguars, Kayaga was outstanding with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, while Mercy Batamuliza recorded a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds, adding 3 blocks.
Nagitta ran the offense with 6 assists as JT scored 24 fast-break points and 20 from turnovers, evidence of their aggressive, pressing approach.
JT Lady Jaguars head coach Sudi Ulanga admitted that the pressure of reaching their first-ever finals got to his players after their strong start to the series.
“The biggest problem was pressure,” Ulanga said in an interview with NBS Sport after the game.
“People expected so much from us. Management expected so much, and I expected so much from the players. After Game One, the weight of those expectations made us lose focus.”
For JKL, the story was different. The reigning champions showed their trademark control in the decisive stages of every win.
In Games Two, Three, and Four, they trailed or stayed level for long stretches before tightening their defense late. Their Game Four victory, 69–61, had already put them one step away from the crown, and they finished the job on Sunday.
This fifth title extends a remarkable era for the rising dictatresses JKL, whose league triumphs date back to 2018, and have also won titles in 2019, 2023 and 2024.
They have beaten the record champions UCU Lady Canons in three of those finals, and also in this year’s semifinal, which they won 3–2.
For the Jaguars, the 2025 campaign remains their most successful yet. They reached their first-ever finals after sweeping Magic Stormers 3–0 in the semifinals, proving that their rise to contention was no accident.
After the final whistle, players, who have been outstanding in this season, were recognised for their individual brilliance.
Hope Akello claimed both the Playoffs MVP and regular-season top scorer and rebounder awards, while JT’s Mercy Batamuliza was deservedly named Defensive Player of the Year.
UCU’s Hajara Najuko took home Best Three-Point Shooter, and Nabisunsa’s Abigail Mpooza, the regular-season MVP, joined Akello, Batamuliza, JKL’s Evelyn Nakiyinji, and UCU’s Sheila Lamunu in the Team of the Season.
