Junior Silverbacks seal FIBA Africa slot with another Zone V title
In their final game on 14 July, Uganda bounced back with a commanding 71-41 victory over hosts Tanzania, sealing their qualification for the continental championship set for September.
Uganda secured the Africa Zone V U16 Boys title in Kibaha to earn a spot at the U16 African Championship this September. Courtesy Photo
By Chrispus Baluku
Journalists @New Vision
Uganda’s U16 boys’ basketball team, the Junior Silverbacks, have booked their place in the FIBA U16 Africa Championship after emerging champions at the FIBA Africa Zone V Championship held in Kibaha, Tanzania.
This triumph marks their third consecutive title in the boys’ age category, following previous victories in 2023 and 2024.
Despite facing off-court challenges, the team displayed remarkable grit and determination.
They arrived in Tanzania on July 11 under difficult circumstances. Hudson Ssegamwenge, head of delegation, shared that “The team was taken to Kibaha but had to spend the night in the hotel lobby since the hosts didn’t arrange accommodation.”
“The players were exhausted, and it affected their mindset,” he added.
“We’ve reached out to various governing bodies for help. We thought we had moved past these kinds of issues in sports, but it’s disappointing. The team isn’t in great shape, so we appreciate any support,” Ssegamwenge concluded.
Nevertheless, the Junior Silverbacks put on a strong performance on the court.
They opened the tournament with an emphatic 63-36 win over Kenya, sparking optimism for another title run.
The following day, they faced a formidable Rwanda side and lost 64-91, but remained in contention.
In their final game on 14 July, Uganda bounced back with a commanding 71-41 victory over hosts Tanzania, sealing their qualification for the continental championship set for September.
This latest win continues Uganda’s impressive streak in the Zone V tournaments, following their U16 title in Kigali (2023), the U18 crown in Kampala (2024), and now the U16 triumph in Kibaha (2025).
The 2023 championship in Kigali marked a historic moment as the U16 boys clinched the title and secured Uganda’s first appearance at the continental level.
A year later, the U18 boys extended the momentum with an unbeaten campaign on home soil in Kampala.
In contrast, the Junior Gazelles (girls’ team) struggled during their campaign, falling to Kenya 40-73, Tanzania 61-68, and Rwanda 51-64.