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Oilers have already announced the capture of former UCU Canons’ stars Fayed Baale and Titus Lual while the Blazers recently unveiled big names like Landry Ndikumana, Geoffrey Soro and Michael Makiadi.
There are various reasons why basketball revelers always wait for the UCU Invitational Basketball Tournament.
But one major reason is to have a glimpse of their favourite teams ahead of the new basketball season.
The tournament, organized by Uganda Christian University, is currently the only other piece of action for teams besides that league and paints a faint picture what to expect when the season starts.
In a country where transfer business by clubs is barely publicized, it is this tournament that announces to fans which player has joined which team.
And that will be the main reason for the lovers of the game to flock Mukono when the 12th edition of the tournament tips off Saturday morning at the UCU main campus.
Big misses
Last year’s finalists City Oilers and Nam Blazers are the biggest absentees at the tournament.
The two sides are not among the ten men’s sides set the take part in the event.
Oilers have already announced the capture of former UCU Canons’ stars Fayed Baale and Titus Lual while the Blazers recently unveiled big names like Landry Ndikumana, Geoffrey Soro and Michael Makiadi.
Fans will, however, have to wait to see the two sides in the league that tips off this month.
Power is the other big name missing in action.
KIU Titans in
KIU Titans were the first team to unveil players this off-season and got to work early in the year.
Saidi Amisi, Peter Obleng and Collins Kasujja are some of the names that the team will rely on when the National Basketball League season tips off.
And Julius Lutwama’s side will be among the favourites this weekend.
Joseph Chuma, Edgar Munaba and Henry Okoth are some of the players retained by the Titans, who lost to Blazers 3-1 in the semi-finals last year.
Hosts UCU Canons remain a force to reckon with Ugandan basketball and will be looking to ride on the home crowd to ensure the trophy stays in Mukono.
Lady Jaguars
The women’s division might stretch to a five-horse race when the season starts.
The promotion of JT Lady Jaguars will certainly pause a threat to the household names in the game.
UCU Lady Canons and JKL Lady Dolphins have played each other in the last three seasons but the Lady Jaguars will be out to challenge the status quo.
That work starts in Mukono where the team will get the opportunity to come up against much bigger competition than what was in the Fuba Division One.
With players like Zainah Lokwameri and Sarah Ageno, the Lady Jaguars eased through the regular season and playoffs unbeaten.
The test will certainly be tougher in the top flight and the UCU Invitational provides Jeff Omondi’s side with the opportunity to test the waters.
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