The National Basketball League playoffs will now tip off on July 10 after the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) postponed the postseason to accommodate a packed schedule of national team commitments.
Originally slated to begin this week following the close of the regular season, the playoffs were rescheduled to give Uganda’s teams time to prepare and compete in international competitions. The women’s side will feature in the FIBA Women’s Series in France from June 16 to July 4, while the men’s team holds a training camp in Rwanda from June 20 to 30 ahead of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in Angola from July 2 to 5. The U23 men’s and women’s squads will also contest the FIBA U23 Nations League in Kenya from July 1 to 7.
The adjustment follows the conclusion of the 2026 regular season, which ended with UPDF Tomahawks relegated after a 67-62 loss to Victoria Crocs at YMCA Court in Wandegeya, live on NBS Sport. The Tomahawks, needing victory to survive, fell behind early and despite a late rally, could not overturn the deficit. Their relegation was confirmed alongside Kampala Rockets, who finished bottom.
At the top, defending champions Namuwongo Blazers secured the number one seed with a 20-2 record, edging ten-time champions City Oilers on head-to-head. Rezlife Saints impressed with wins over both Blazers and Oilers to claim third, while UCU Canons took fourth. The quarterfinals will pit Blazers against JT Jaguars, Oilers against KCCA Panthers, Rezlife against Sommet, and UCU Canons against Victoria Crocs in best-of-three series.
In the women’s league, JT Lady Jaguars clinched first place on a tiebreaker despite UCU Lady Canons finishing with a 20-2 record after beating KCCA Leopards 55-34. The Jaguars will face defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins in a blockbuster quarterfinal, while UCU meet KIU Rangers, KCCA face UPDF Lady Tomahawks, and Magic Stormers take on Pearl Queens. Angels and Nabisunsa were relegated, while Victoria She Crocs and Miracle Eaglets missed out on playoff spots.
