Namuwongo Blazers have written their name in Uganda’s basketball history after defeating City Oilers 68-55 in Game Six on Wednesday night to claim their first-ever National Basketball League title.
The Blazers overturned a two-game deficit to win the best-of-seven series 4-2, bringing an end to City Oilers’ remarkable 10-year dominance that stretched back to 2013.
City Oilers had started the finals strongly, winning the opening two games and looking on course for an 11th consecutive championship.
But the resilient Blazers had other plans, responding in style to win four straight games and dethrone the defending champions in sensational fashion.
James Okello led the Blazers with 16 points, while Jimmy Enabu facing his former team added 12.
Tonny Drilleba scored 10 points and Peter Obleng chipped in with 11, all contributing to the team’s balanced attack that overwhelmed the Oilers.
For City Oilers, Jordan Bowie (13 points), Fayed Baale (11), Moses Maker (10), and Kurt-Curry Wegscheider (10) tried to keep their side alive, but the effort was not enough to extend their championship streak.
The Oilers’ struggles have been evident since the departure of long-time coach Mandy Juruni, who guided them to nine titles before moving to Rwanda’s Kepler University.
The exits of key players like Okello, Drilleba, and Enabu further weakened the side, paving the way for a new force to emerge.
Namuwongo Blazers’ triumph marks the beginning of a new era in Ugandan basketball, one where the crown is no longer monopolized.
Their rise from newcomers to champions symbolizes determination, teamwork, and the changing face of the game.
Past National Basketball League Winners
1995 – Makerere
1996 – Power
1997 – Charging Rhino
1998 – Falcons
1999 – Falcons
2000 – Power
2001 – Sky Jammers
2002 – Falcons
2003 – Falcons
2004 – Falcons
2005 – Nkumba Marines
2006 – Nkumba Marines
2007 – Falcons
2008 – Power
2009 – Warriors
2010 – Power
2011 – Power
2012 – Warriors
2013 – City Oilers
2014 – City Oilers
2015 – City Oilers
2016 – City Oilers
2017 – City Oilers
2018 – City Oilers
2019 – City Oilers
2020 – N/A (Covid)
2021 – N/A (Covid)
2022 – City Oilers
2023 – City Oilers
2024 – City Oilers
2025 – Namuwongo Blazers
