FIBA Africa withdraws U18 AfroBasket qualifiers from Uganda over Ebola concerns

The decision by FIBA Africa to withdraw Uganda's hosting rights for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers is a major setback, not only for basketball but also for Uganda's growing reputation as a host of international sporting events.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) confirmed that the tournament has been reassigned to Egypt following concerns linked to the recent Ebola outbreak.

"FIBA Africa has officially withdrawn Uganda's hosting rights for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers following concerns arising from the recent Ebola outbreak," FUBA said.

Uganda had been scheduled to host the championship from June 14–20 at Hoima City Stadium. The competition will now take place in Egypt from June 10–15.

The development follows a recent update from the Ministry of Health, which confirmed two new Ebola cases in Kampala, bringing the country's total confirmed cases to nine, including one death.

While disappointing for Ugandan basketball, it is difficult to fault FIBA Africa's position. International federations must prioritise the safety of players, officials and fans, especially when teams are travelling across borders. The bigger concern, however, is what this decision could mean for sport in Uganda if the health situation worsens.

Many Ugandans still remember the COVID-19 period, when football, basketball, athletics and school sports were suspended for months. Clubs lost income, athletes struggled to train, and federations faced serious operational challenges.

The latest Ministry of Health directives have already suspended marathons, walkathons, concerts and community recreational activities due to large crowd concerns. Although organised league competitions have not yet been stopped, uncertainty remains over how future restrictions could affect sporting activities.

The timing is particularly sensitive. The National Basketball League is entering a crucial stage of the season, preparations for the Netball Super League are ongoing, and football competitions such as the Masaza Cup are approaching their tip-off. Uganda is also preparing for several international assignments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

FUBA indicated that discussions regarding Uganda's participation in the qualifiers are still ongoing. "Further updates regarding Uganda's participation and preparations for the tournament will be communicated in due course," the federation stated.

The immediate priority should be ensuring that local competitions continue safely. Sports federations, clubs and venue managers must strictly follow Ministry of Health guidelines, including handwashing, sanitation, crowd management, and other preventive measures.

At the same time, sports administrators should begin preparing contingency plans in case additional restrictions become necessary. Lessons from COVID-19 showed the importance of planning ahead rather than reacting after competitions have already been disrupted.

No one wants to see another period of cancelled events, empty arenas, or interrupted seasons. Yet public health must remain the first priority. Ugandan sport now finds itself balancing two important responsibilities: protecting lives and keeping competitions running.

The loss of the U18 AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers should serve as a warning that health challenges can quickly affect sport, and that preparedness will be essential in the weeks ahead.