The Gazelles received a welcomed boost as Melissa Akullu, a standout player from Vanguard University, joined their training camp at Africa Bible University in Lubowa on Tuesday.

With the prestigious 2023 FIBA Women's Afrobasket in Kigali, Rwanda, Akullu`s addition brings a surge of energy and talent to the team as they prepare for the highly anticipated tournament.

She featured for the Angels before leaving the country two years ago for studies in the United States.

 Akullu is a junior communication major and remains upbeat ahead of her senior national team debut.

Last season with Vanguard, she was named the GSAC player of the year and defensive player of the year, and her addition gives Gazelles plenty of options and quality in the frontcourt.

Jane Asinde missed out on the training having travelled to Canada for the GLOBAL JAM.

The forward is part of the ladies' U23 team selected by the Basketball Africa League to represent the continent and will compete against Canada's U23s, the University of Louisville (US) and Puerto Rico’s U23 teams.

Players on the BAL select team were identified in collaboration with FIBA Africa and national federations across the continent.

She is the only player from Uganda selected on the African team, with some coming from Senegal, Egypt, Mozambique, Mali, and Ivory Coast among others.

Asinde who recently joined the University of Texas, will be expected to rejoin the Gazelles camp early next week.

Foreign-based stars Jannon Otto and Claire Lamunu are yet to join the camp, while Jamila Nansikombi is not expected to honour the invite.

Leticia Awor (JKL) and Victoria Mukisa (Simpson College) continued to sit training out with injuries and are all but ruled for the tournament.

The Gazelles will be making their third appearance on the continent after debuting in 1997 and at the 2015 edition held in Cameroon.