Uganda’s women’s 3×3 basketball team saw their campaign at the opening stop of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series come to an end after suffering two defeats in Pool A in Orléans, France.
Entering the tournament as the eighth seed in a competitive 16-team field, Uganda needed a top finish in their group to progress to the quarterfinals. However, losses to Azerbaijan’s Neftchi SOCAR and Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric left them without a victory and ended their challenge at the pool stage.
Uganda’s first outing produced an encouraging display against top-seeded Neftchi SOCAR. The Ugandans stayed within touching distance throughout much of the contest but eventually fell 18-14 against one of the strongest teams on the international circuit.
The second match against Mitsubishi Electric proved equally demanding. Uganda again battled hard and remained competitive, but the Japanese side secured a 19-15 victory to complete a perfect record in the group and seal qualification for the knockout rounds.
Across their two matches, Uganda scored 29 points while conceding 37, averaging 14.5 points per game against high-level opposition. Although they were unable to register the win required to advance, the performances demonstrated their ability to compete with experienced professional teams on the Women’s Series circuit.
Pool A ultimately lived up to its billing as one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Mitsubishi Electric finished with two wins from two matches, while Neftchi SOCAR also progressed to the quarterfinals after overcoming Uganda.
The Orléans event marked the first stop of the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series, a campaign that carries added significance for Uganda as the country seeks to improve its international ranking and strengthen its bid for qualification to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
While the opening tournament ended in disappointment, Uganda’s European campaign is far from over. The team is expected to return to action at the upcoming Women’s Series stops in Poitiers and Marseille, where further ranking points and international experience will be on offer as they continue their long-term Olympic pursuit.
