The long-awaited Ugandan elite basketball league resumes today. KCCA Leopards face KIU Rangers in the women’s opener at Lugogo Indoor Arena. Seven-time champions City Oil squares up with Namuwongo Blazers in the subsequent duel.
The league returns after a two-year hiatus that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
Both games will be played at the Lugogo indoor stadium in Kampala with the ladies’ sides taking off at 5 pm while the men’s team will tussle it out at 7 pm.
FUBA league officials confirmed a continuation of their partnership with Tusker Lite as the season’s major sponsor who improved their package to Shs. 200,000,000 during a press briefing at Hotel Africana in Kampala this week.
The league’s anticipated first round will run for three months, from March 11 to May 15, 2022.
Some players pose for a group photo during the 2022 FUBA League launch at Hotel Africana, Kampala
FUBA General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge described the upcoming league as one that will be worth following.
” We have not had a full basketball season since the 2019 finals, which were won by City Oil after beating the UCU Canons. It’s exciting for us as FUBA, the players, partners like Tusker Lite, and all basketball fans across the country for the league to return. We have 13 men’s teams and 13 women’s teams that will play a total of 123 games in the first round of the season. It’s going to be spectacular.” Hudson Ssegamwenge, FUBA General Secretary said.
Ssegamwenge also expressed FUBA’s gratitude to the main sponsor (Tusker Lite) for standing with the game of basketball by returning as the lead sponsor for the league.
“As FUBA, and on behalf of the Ugandan basketball fraternity, I want to thank Tusker Lite for standing by us and believing in the game, by returning as the lead sponsors. We believe this sponsorship will go a long way in elevating the game of basketball in Uganda and will offer more to the fans that love the game,” he added.
Elizabeth Mutamuliza Nsubuga, Tusker Lite brand manager/ photo by FUBA Media
Elizabeth Mutamuliza Nsubuga, the brand manager of Tusker Lite tagged the partnership as a natural connection.
“We are excited to be back in action with a sport that brings friends together to enjoy fun moments, which is what Tusker Lite, is about as a brand. The sponsorship is our way of reaffirming that we believe in basketball, and want it to grow.” Elizabeth Mutamuliza Nsubuga, Brand Manager of Tusker Lite
Opening contests:
Some players pose for a group photo during the 2022 FUBA League launch at Hotel Africana, Kampala. photo credit FUBA Media
KCCA Leopards face KIU Rangers in the women’s opener while seven-time champions City Oil squares up with Namuwongo Blazers in the subsequent duel.
“We are excited that the league is returning. As City Oilers, the target and objective are to win again. City Oilers is ready to battle, to war. This season is ours again. We look beyond the domestic league,” James Okello, a front-court player revealed.
Next Media Services will broadcast some of this season’s games live via their Sanyuka Television platform after agreeing to a 5-year partnership.
Games will be played at Lugogo and the YMCA throughout the season that will see three clubs relegated and two promoted.
Warriors are missing in action after failing to register on time for unclear reasons.
The two promoted clubs to the top flight this season are Tropical Royals and Our Saviours.
Livingstone and Miracle Eagles were promoted to division one from division two.
However, City Oilers who are the reigning champions remain the favourites to retain the title this season.
The team has a reputable squad full of experience, exposure, composure, financial muscle as opposed to their counterparts.
The UCU Canons lost the final in 2019 to City Oilers and will be one of the men’s contenders for the championship this season.
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