Mountain Dew, one of Uganda’s favourite urban beverage brands, has partnered with Red Rhino Sports and the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) to launch the Mountain Dew 3×3 Series, a nationwide basketball tournament focused on the fast-growing 3×3 format.
The series will feature eight stops across five Ugandan cities, offering a platform for aspiring basketball players under 25 to showcase their skills and compete for a chance to win big.
The grand finale, scheduled for December 7th in Kampala, promises a thrilling culmination with the top men’s and women’s teams walking away with a cool UGX 2,000,000 (Two million shillings) each.
3×3 basketball, a dynamic and fast-paced variant of traditional basketball played on a half-court with three players per side, has gained immense popularity worldwide and recently secured its place as an official Olympic sport.
Uganda has actively participated in this discipline, hosting tournaments like the Africa University 3×3 in July 2024 and the FIBA 3×3 Nations League in August 2024.
Namutebi Grace, Mountain Dew Brand Manager, expressed the brand’s excitement to be part of the series.
“Mountain Dew is thrilled to be a part of this exciting series. As a brand associated with basketball for a long time, we are committed to bringing the sport closer to the grassroots. This nationwide tournament promises entertainment for both players and fans, and we can’t wait to see it unfold,” she said.
Akwech Samuel, Red Rhino Sports Director, emphasized the agency’s commitment to providing athletes with a platform to develop, entertain, and win great prizes.
“We’re delighted to present this platform for athletes to develop, entertain, and win incredible prizes. We strongly believe in Uganda’s 3×3 potential, and we’re committed to nurturing its growth,” he stated.
Serunjogi Nasser, FUBA President, highlighted the importance of 3×3 in growing basketball in Uganda.
“FUBA, alongside FIBA, recognizes 3×3 as a key driver for basketball development in Uganda. We’re excited to collaborate with Red Rhino Sports and Mountain Dew to promote this exciting format. With initiatives like this series, we aim to propel Ugandan teams towards future Olympic qualification,” he said.
The Mountain Dew 3×3 Series kicks off with the first qualifying stop in Kampala on Saturday, October 19th, at the Makerere Pool Court.
Subsequent stops will follow across Mbarara, Kampala (again), Gulu, Mukono, Mbale, and Jinja, culminating in the grand finale back in Kampala.
Participation is open to all basketball players under 25, with teams of four needing to comply with certain criteria. A maximum of two players per team can be from the NBL Division One, and a maximum of two foreign nationals are allowed per team.
The registration fee is UGX 20,000 per team.
