Junior Silverbacks determined to defend Zone V title despite hosting change

Uganda's U18 boys' basketball team head coach, Daniel Juuko Najja, says the Junior Silverbacks are determined to defend their FIBA AfroBasket Zone V title, despite losing the opportunity to host the qualifiers.

The team arrived safely in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday ahead of the tournament, which runs from Thursday to next Tuesday and features approximately eight countries.

Uganda was originally scheduled to host the qualifiers at the newly built Hoima City Stadium Indoor Arena in June. However, FIBA Africa withdrew the hosting rights due to public health concerns following the Ebola outbreak and relocated the tournament to Egypt.

The Junior Silverbacks travel to Cairo as defending champions after winning the 2024 Zone V qualifiers on home soil. Uganda has claimed the last three Zone V youth qualifiers, while the women's team, the Gazelles, won their qualifiers in Egypt last year.

According to Juuko, the team's focus remains on retaining the title.

"We have prepared well for this tournament, and the players understand our responsibility as defending champions. We will take one game at a time and give everything to make Uganda proud," Juuko said.

Preparations began last December with trials involving about 30 players, before the squad was gradually reduced.

Several players already have international experience. Shane Kwizera, Shammah Kwizera, Odoi Silver, and Pierre Rwuhiriro were part of the Uganda U16 team that finished fifth at the 2025 FIBA U16 AfroBasket in Rwanda. Shane and Shammah also helped Uganda win the previous qualifiers in Tanzania.

The coach noted that the current squad has benefited from Uganda's growing youth development programme.

"Many of these boys have grown through our national youth system and already understand what it takes to compete at this level. That experience gives us confidence as we prepare for another tough challenge," Juuko added.

Eli Senyange featured in Uganda's successful 2024 U18 Zone V qualifying campaign, while Isaac Munashe represented the country at the 2023 U16 AfroBasket. Mongo Stephane also returns after missing last year's U16 AfroBasket through injury.

There has also been a change in the technical bench. Andrew Tendo guided the team's preparations alongside Ben Komakech, Moses Okwera, and Daniel Juuko, but Juuko now takes charge in Cairo, with Jonathan Egau serving as assistant coach.

The tournament winner earns a place at the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket finals in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, scheduled for August 5–16.

Uganda's U18 girls have already secured qualification for the continental finals after finishing among the top four teams at the previous championship in South Africa.

Players:

Shane Kwizera, Shammah Kwizera, Magezi Nkugwa, Eli Senyange, Levi Ogiramoi, Leone Sekandi, Staphane Mongo Saidi, silver Odoi, Isaac Munashe, Ashiraf Kakooza, Jacob Kateihwaho, Zola Mbomba Zizi, Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro.

Technical staff:  Daniel  Juuko (Head Coach), Jonathan  Egau  (Assistant Coach), Barbara Okot (Team Manager), Jonathan Oketch (Equipment Manager), Vincent Etyang (Team Doctor) and Hudson Ssegamwenge (Head of Delegation).