City Oilers to face rivals Namuwongo Blazers in marquee NBL clash

League leaders City Oilers will face rivals Namuwongo Blazers on Friday at Lugogo Arena in one of the biggest games of the 2026 National Basketball League season.

The Oilers enter the match top of the table with 33 points from 17 games, having won 16 matches and lost only once this season.

The Blazers are second with 32 points from 17 games, recording 15 wins and just two losses. They have also been the league’s most dangerous attacking side, scoring a league-high 1,339 points while conceding 984.

However, the Blazers will be aiming to bounce back from a narrow 73-71 defeat to Rezlife Saints on Wednesday night at Rezlife Lubowa.

In that game, the Saints were inspired by Edrine Ekau, who delivered a brilliant 32-point, nine-rebound performance. Duot Ajang added 14 points, while Chris Basheke and Hon Kwany chipped in with 11 points each.

For the Blazers, Okello James led the scoring with 15 points, Jimmy Enabu added 14, and Nyembo Fataki contributed 10 points in a losing effort.

The first meeting between the two sides this season came on February 6, the opening day of the 2026 campaign, when the Oilers defeated the Blazers 74–65 at Lugogo Indoor Arena.

Both teams have strengthened their squads during the mid-season transfer window.

The Oilers added three key players: Jonathan Komagum, Patrick Rembert, and Germaine Roebuck. Komagum, a mainstay in the senior national team (the Silverbacks), has already featured in two games. He scored two points and grabbed 12 rebounds against UMU Flames in his debut, before adding 12 points and seven rebounds in a 92–63 win over Kampala Rockets.

Rembert and Roebuck Jr. are expected to join the team fully during the playoff push.

The Blazers have also reinforced their squad with Kasereka Tembo and Cameroonian big man Kevin Leonel Nyemeck. Tembo has already made his debut and brings proven shooting ability, having won the Best Three-Point Shooter award in the 2024 season. He later evolved into a more complete player during his time with Sommet in 2025.

Nyemeck arrives with strong pedigree, having featured for Cameroon’s senior national team and in the Road to BAL. It remains to be seen whether he will make his debut against the Oilers or later in the series.

Elsewhere in the women’s division:

JKL Lady Dolphins will face league leaders JT Lady Jaguars in another high-profile women’s match.

The Lady Jaguars top the standings with 34 points from 18 games, winning 16 and losing only twice. They have also been the league’s best defensive side, conceding just 802 points this season.

JKL Lady Dolphins are seventh with 24 points from 16 games and remain firmly in the playoff race in a tightly contested women’s division.

In their first-round meeting, JKL staged a strong comeback from a halftime deficit to defeat the then-unbeaten Jaguars 78–68.

Other weekend fixtures

At Rezlife Lubowa on Saturday, KIU Rangers face Nabisunsa Girls, while KCCA Leopards take on Pearl Queens.

In the men’s fixtures, JT Jaguars host KCCA Panthers, Sommet BC face JKL Dolphins Men, and Rezlife Saints will aim to extend their good form against UPDF Tomahawks.

At YMCA Wandegeya, Magic Stormers meet UPDF Lady Tomahawks, while UCU Lady Canons face Angels Basketball Club. UCU Canons will also target a top-four boost against UMU Flames, with Kampala Rockets hosting Victoria Crocs.

On Sunday at Lugogo Arena, JT Lady Jaguars face Victoria She Crocs, while JKL Lady Dolphins take on KCCA Leopards.

In the men’s division, UMU Flames meet KCCA Panthers, UPDF Tomahawks face Sommet BC, while City Oilers close the weekend against JT Jaguars.

National Basketball League

Results

Saints 73 Blazers 71

Dolphins 53 Crocs 74

Lady Dolphins 34 Angels 47

Queens 50 UCU Lady Canons 61

Nabisunsa 62 Stormers 67

Friday (Lugogo Arena)

Women

Lady Jaguars v Lady Dolphins 7pm

Men

Oilers v Blazers 9pm

Saturday (Rezlife Lubowa)

Women

Rangers v Nabisunsa 10am
Leopards v Queens 12pm

Men

Jaguars v Panthers 2pm
Sommet v Dolphins 4pm
Tomahawks v Saints 6pm

YMCA

Women
Stormers v Lady Tomahawks 10am
Eaglets v She Crocs 12pm

Lady Canon v Angels 2pm

Men
Canons v Flames 4pm
Rockets v Crocs 6pm

Sunday (Lugogo Arena)

Women

She Crocs v Lady Jaguars 10am
Lady Dolphins v Leopards 12pm

Men

Flames v Panthers 2pm

Tomahawks v Sommet 4pm
Oilers v Jaguars 6pm