Nam Blazers CEO accuses FUBA of hypocrisy and favoritism ahead of playoffs

Namuwongo Blazers Basketball Club CEO, Daniel Muttu Obol, has launched a scathing critique of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA), accusing the governing body of hypocrisy, favoritism, and poor leadership, issues he believes are undermining the integrity of Ugandan basketball.

“This culture of hypocrisy is unacceptable. Ugandan basketball needs credible, accountable, and visionary leadership,” Muttu stated.

He accused FUBA for operating with double standards, selectively enforcing rules, and lacking transparency.

“For too long, FUBA has applied rules inconsistently, with little regard for fairness or professionalism,” he added.

The controversy intensified following the registration of City Oilers’ new signings—Canadian guard Chad Bowie and Central African player Kurt-Curry Axel Wegscheider. Rival clubs, including JT Jaguars and JKL Lady Dolphins, have questioned how the Oilers were allowed to register foreign players without adhering to the same strict procedures imposed on others.

JT Jaguars owner Jeff Teya cited competition rules requiring new players to physically sign registration forms in Uganda within 14 days of clearance. He argued that unless FUBA can prove Bowie and Wegscheider followed this process, they should be deemed ineligible for the playoffs.

JKL Lady Dolphins boss Freedom Owora echoed the concerns, noting that his player Brenda Ekon had to travel from Mbale to Kampala just to complete her registration in person. He accused FUBA of bending the rules for the Oilers.

Muttu warned that inconsistent rulings and questionable decisions are stifling the growth of the National Basketball League (NBL), both locally and internationally.

“The Nam Blazers will not stay silent when the integrity of Ugandan basketball is at stake. It’s time for accountability. It’s time for reform,” he declared.

Blazers, Oilers on opposite paths to the final

The NBL regular season concluded earlier this month, confirming the eight playoff-bound teams. Livingstone and KIU Titans were relegated, while Victoria Crocs and JKL Dolphins narrowly missed out.

This season has been one of the most competitive in recent memory, with playoff spots decided in the final stretch. Victoria Crocs were particularly unlucky, missing the cut despite finishing with the same record as the sixth-placed team.

Namuwongo Blazers, the regular season top seed with a 19–3 record, will face Rezlife Saints in the quarterfinals. Led by Jimmy Enabu, James Okello, and Tonny Drilleba, the Blazers are widely considered title favourites.

Rezlife Saints, who finished sixth with a 12–10 record, are familiar foes—they faced the Blazers in last year’s playoffs.

Another high-stakes quarterfinal pits JT Jaguars against 10-time champions City Oilers. The Jaguars are one of the few teams to defeat the Oilers twice this season, but the Oilers have bolstered their roster with Bowie and Wegscheider.

Elsewhere, Sommet will take on KCCA Panthers. The Panthers started strong but faded in the second round, while Sommet surged late to secure their spot.

The final quarterfinal features Kampala Rockets versus UCU Canons, two evenly matched teams that both finished 13–9. Rockets earned the higher seed thanks to head-to-head wins over the Canons.

If the Blazers advance past the Saints, they’ll meet the winner of Rockets vs Canons in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, the winner of Jaguars vs Oilers will face the victor of Sommet vs Panthers.

This setup ensures that the league’s two most dominant teams, City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers—can only meet in the finals.