The 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) first round concluded in dramatic and action-packed fashion over the weekend, with six games played across two venues, delivering standout individual performances and key shifts in the standings.
Two men’s fixtures were held on Friday at the Lugogo Indoor Arena before action shifted to YMCA Wandegeya on Sunday, where four games (two men’s and two women’s) wrapped up the opening round.
Rezlife Saints guard Edrine Ekau emerged as the undisputed star of the weekend, producing back-to-back stellar performances.
He dropped 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in Friday’s statement win over previously unbeaten City Oilers, before following it up with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist in Sunday’s victory over JT Jaguars.
His consistency sees him close the first round as the men’s top scorer, averaging 18.7 points per game and amassing 206 total points.
Nam Blazers Finish Strong Against JT Jaguars
On Friday, defending champions Namuwongo Blazers completed their first-round schedule with an emphatic 82-62 victory over JT Jaguars, in a game that was live on NBS Sport.
The Blazers pulled away in the third quarter after a tightly contested first half. The Jaguars had started brightly, taking the opening quarter 15-11 while mixing defensive looks between 3-2 and 2-3 zones.
However, the Blazers responded with efficient perimeter shooting, going 6-for-12 from beyond the arc, including a buzzer-beater from Moses Mugisha to edge the first quarter 20-19.
In the second quarter, the Blazers tightened their defense, forcing turnovers through aggressive zone schemes. Despite the Jaguars, led by George Odeke and Abraham Chuol, trimming the deficit to two points (33-31), Namuwongo closed the half ahead 39-35.
The decisive moment came in the third period, where the Blazers’ defensive adjustments, particularly denying the Jaguars’ horns sets and trapping on the wings, sparked a dominant run. They stretched the lead to 67-45 heading into the final quarter, effectively sealing the game.
Fataki Nyembo led a balanced scoring effort with 19 points, while Ivan Muhwezi added 16. Every Blazers player contributed at least two points. Abraham Chuol paced the Jaguars with a game-high 20 points.
Rezlife Saints Hand City Oilers First Loss
In the second game on Friday that was also live on NBS Sport, Rezlife Saints stunned 10-time champions City Oilers 62-48, handing them their first defeat of the season.
Edrine Ekau led from the front with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, while Hon Kwany added 11 points. The contest remained evenly balanced for three quarters, tied at 30-30 at halftime and 46-46 at the end of the third.
However, Rezlife produced a stunning 16-0 run in the fourth quarter, limiting the Oilers to just two points until the final seconds. Malual Dier scored the Oilers’ only basket of the period with nine seconds remaining.
Michael Otieno (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Joel Kayiira (10 points, 10 rebounds) recorded double-doubles for Rezlife and Oilers respectively.
Action then shifted to YMCA Wandegeya on Sunday for the conclusion of the round.
Nabisunsa Bounce Back as Lady Jaguars Humiliate Angels
In the women’s encounter, Nabisunsa bounced back from their narrow loss to Angels with a 59-49 victory over Pearl Queens in the opener.
After trailing 16-06 in the first quarter, Nabisunsa responded strongly, winning the remaining quarters 21-15, 17-12 and 15-06.
Jane Chisom Iriele led the Queens with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Nabisunsa were powered by a dominant all-round display from Martha Yikiru, who posted 16 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists, while Katurah Joy Auma (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Abigail Mpoza (12 points, 6 rebounds) also impressed.
The second women’s game saw JT Lady Jaguars cruise to an 80-22 victory over Angels, condemning the latter to their 10th loss in 11 games.
Angels struggled offensively, managing just 4, 6, 10 and 2 points across the four quarters, the lowest team total of the first round.
Mary Priscillar Nambogo starred for the Jaguars with 15 points, supported by Brenda Kayaga (13) and Shakirah Nanvubya (12), while Komugisha Ritah led Angels with 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Rezlife Saints, City Oilers Close Strong
In the third game that was live on NBS Sport, Rezlife Saints capped off an impressive weekend with another win over JT Jaguars, with Ekau once again leading the charge with 24 points. Ian Lubwama (16 points) and Peter Sifuma (13) tried to keep the Jaguars competitive but fell short.
The final game of the round, which was also live, saw City Oilers bounce back from their Friday defeat with a 72-57 victory over UCU Canons.
Joel Kayiira delivered a standout performance with 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Edgar Munaba (14 points) and Malual Dier (12) added key contributions.
Jimmy B. Otim on the other hand led UCU with a game-high 20 points in a losing effort.
NBL Standings and Statistical Leaders
At the end of the first round, City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers sit joint top of the men’s standings with identical 10-1 records. Rezlife Saints follow in third place at 9-2, while KCCA Panthers (7-4) and Sommet (6-5) round out the top five.
At the bottom, JKL Dolphins, UMU Flames and Kampala Rockets occupy 10th, 11th and 12th positions respectively, all with 2-9 records.
In the women’s division, JT Lady Jaguars lead the standings alongside UCU Lady Canons, both at 10-1. KCCA Leopards (9-2) sit third, while defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins are fourth at 8-3.
Miracle Eaglets (3-8), Nabisunsa (2-9) and Angels (1-10) complete the bottom three.
KCCA Leopards’ Tracy Namugosa tops the women’s scoring charts with 20.6 points per game and 227 total points, the highest tally across both leagues.
With the National Basketball League first round concluded, attention now turns to the second round, where the battle for playoff positioning is set to intensify.
