JKL Lady Dolphins aim to extend winning streak against UPDF

Defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins will be aiming to continue their strong run in the National Basketball League when they face the in-form UPDF Lady Tomahawks on Wednesday at the YMCA in Wandegeya.

Team captain Flavia Oketch says the team is ready for the challenge.

"We respect UPDF because they are playing good basketball, but our focus is to stay consistent and keep improving every game. We want to continue our winning run and defend our title strongly," Oketch said.

The Dolphins have recovered well after losing their opening game of the season to KCCA Leopards (73-65). Since then, they have beaten JT Lady Jaguars (78-68), Magic Stormers (86-49), and Miracle Eaglets (81-60). With three straight wins, they currently sit seventh on the table with seven points from four games.

Despite their status as defending champions, JKL began the season under pressure after losing several key players. 2025 Most Valuable Player Hope Akello moved to Morocco, while Ruth Letaro, Zainah Lokwameri, and center Becky Longom also departed, raising concerns about the team's depth.

"We lost experienced players, but the young ones have stepped up well. Everyone understands their role and we are working hard as a unit. The rebuild has given others a chance to grow," Oketch added.

Several players have stood out for JKL so far. Evelyn Nakiyinji is averaging 14 points, six rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, while Shadia Nassanga has contributed 15 points, four rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Brenda Ekone is adding 11 points and four rebounds per game, Ritah Imanishimwe has managed nine points and five rebounds per game, and Oketch herself is contributing seven points and three rebounds per game.

Their opponents, UPDF Lady Tomahawks, are second on the table with 10 points from six games, having won four and lost two. They enter the contest on a three-game winning streak after defeating Angels (63-44), Nabisunsa (57-43), and Pearl Queens (41-31). Their only recent losses came against Victoria She Crocs and Miracle Eaglets.

Other Wednesday fixtures

Other games scheduled for Wednesday will see UCU Lady Canons face KIU Rangers at Lugogo Arena, while the men's teams of JKL Dolphins and UPDF Tomahawks will also clash at YMCA Wandegeya. UMU Flames will host Victoria Crocs at Lugogo Arena later in the evening.

Sunday Results Roundup

On Sunday, KCCA Leopards defeated Nabisunsa 88-54, Pearl Queens edged Magic Stormers 43-41, Victoria She Crocs fell 69-40 to UCU Lady Canons, and Sommet beat UPDF Tomahawks 73-62 at Abja Park in Naalya.

Sommet had to recover from a slow start after trailing 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. Peter Cheng led with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Mathew Kisakye and Joseph Chuma added 13 and 12 points, respectively. Amos Mugisha, with 13 points, was the only UPDF player to score in double figures.

Sommet dominated the boards 53-48 and capitalized on 30 UPDF turnovers, despite UPDF getting 50 points off the bench. The win marked Sommet's third victory in five games, having earlier beaten JKL Dolphins and UMU Flames, with losses coming against KCCA Panthers and UCU Canons.

UPDF have now lost five of their six games this season, with their only win coming against UCU Canons in a rescheduled fixture.

National Basketball League

Wednesday 4th

YMCA Wandegeya

Women

JKL Lady Dolphins v UPDF Lady Tomahawks 7pm

Men
UPDF Tomahawks v JKL Dolphins 9pm

Lugogo

Women
UCU Lady Canons v KIU Rangers 7pm

Men
UMU Flames v Victoria Crocs 9pm

Sunday

Women

KCCA Leopards 88 Nabisunsa 54
Pearl Queens 43 Magic Stormers 41
UCU Lady Canons 69 Victoria She Crocs 40

Men
Sommet 73 UPDF Tomahawks 62