Hamz Stadium to host FUBA lower division leagues

Starting May 3, the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) will hold games at the Hamz Stadium, commencing with the lower division leagues.

Brian Rugyendo, chairman of the Lower League Management Committee (LLMC), announced during a news conference at the facility attended by LLMC head of operations Timothy Odeke, FUBA president Nasser Sserunjogi, and Hamz Stadium assistant manager Hakim Kasirye. Ten games will be played on Saturday while ten are lined up for Sunday, including five for Division 2.

The 2025 season promises to be another action-packed, nail-biting thriller series, with 12 teams in Division 1 Men's (down from 16 in 2024), 14 in Division 1 Women's (up from 11), and 12 in Division 2 Men's (down from 13).

Rugyendo said after this weekend's games, the facility will mainly host their Sunday fixtures, while the Saturday games will be played at various locations around Kampala and around the country.

Last year, the Rezlife Saints were crowned champions of the Men’s Division 1 league and promoted to the National Basketball League (NBL) together with finalists Victoria Crocs, while Our Savior Banyabo, who emerged champions of the ladies’ category, were promoted to the Women’s NBL with finalists Nkumba Lady Marines. From the Division 2 Men’s category, champions YMCA Hamsters and finalists Charging Rhinos were promoted to Division 1.

This year, the FUBA lower divisions will welcome the newly founded Pearl Queens, Victoria She Crocs, and the returning Lady Jills to Division 1 Women, as well as former NBL powerhouses Power Basketball Club and Ndejje University Angels to Division 1 Men.

“In a bid to promote more women’s basketball since there is no second division for the women, the FUBA executive felt in necessary to increase the number of teams for the lady’s division and consequently we have three ladies’ teams joining the ladies Division-1 League,” Rugyendo said.

He said the end of the 2024 season also ushered in a new division structure with the introduction of the central regional league, anticipated to begin later this year.

“As always with the unpredictability of the lower leagues, the 2025 season promises to be another action-packed, nail-biting thriller series,” he stated.

“With new products like the all-star weekend at the end of the first round and the Women’s Delight activations, among other exciting showpieces, this season promises to be the most exciting yet.

“The Hamz Stadium is going to be one of our main homes; the facilities are good and up to standard, and we hope to have a wonderful season here and a good relationship with the management,” Rugyendo stated.

FUBA president Sserunjogi said the federation was delighted to host their games at the only outdoor facility with amenities like dressing rooms, among others. He said FUBA has created another tire to ensure more competition from where teams will qualify to join division two, which will also help them to meet requirements under the new law.

“We have synchronised all the fixtures to ensure there is no clash with other activities at the stadium,” Sserunjogi said.

Kasirye said entrance for the games has been set at sh5000 each, with teams free to use all the amenities free of charge, including free parking for the officials.

The other venues to be used for the league include the newly constructed basketball court at the UCU Kampala Campus, YMCA Wandegeya, KIU Kansanga, and Nakasero Primary School. Other occasional hosts shall include UMU Nkozi, Entebbe Municipal, and Gulu Caribbean (Kaunda Grounds). 

Saturday Fixtures

Victoria, She Crocks v Legends Women

Lady Jills v MUK Sparks

Power v Ndejje Univ. Angels

Miracle Eagles v Charging Rhinos

UPDF Tomahawks v Ihoops

YMCA Hamstars v JT Junior Jaguars

Pearl Queens v Kampala University

UMU Flames v YMCA Hamstars-Men

Nkumba Marines v Diamonds in the Sun

Ebb Knight Riders v Tropical Royals