Namuwongo crowned NBL champions
The Namuwongo skipper played through his prime without being able to get past the Oilers and win the title.
Fans toss Namuwongo Blazers coach Stephen Nyeko in the air after Game-6 of the best of seven final playoffs at Lugogo, November 5, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
National Basketball League Finals
Game 6 result
Namuwongo 68 Oilers 55
(Namuwongo win series 4-2)
The Namuwongo Blazers are 2025 National Basketball League (NBL) champions.
“It is amazing,” cried veteran Paul Odong after witnessing the 68-55 Game 6 in the NBL Finals yesterday at Lugogo.
Namuwongo Blazers celebrate with the trophy after Game-6 of the best-of-seven final playoffs at Lugogo, November 5, 2025. Nam Blazers won the series 4-2, after winning Game-6; 68-55. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
It was the win that finally brought the Oilers empire to its knees. Greater names had tried and failed, but the Blazers pulled it off.
It was a moment not to be missed and hundreds crammed into the tiny facility to witness the making of history.
Namuwongo wouldn't disappoint, running away with the game in the second half, outscoring the fading Oilers 33-20.
Namuwongo Blazers fans celebrate after Game-6 of the best-of-seven final playoffs against the Oilers at Lugogo, November 5, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
“After we made it 2-2, I knew we were going to win the title,” said Odong, who played one game in the series but who in many ways sums up Namuwongo's championship best.
The Namuwongo skipper played through his prime without being able to get past the Oilers and win the title. Time after time, he ran into the Oilers, first with Power and later with Namuwongo. The outcome was always the same. Defeat.
Namuwongo Blazers' Tonny Drileba celebrates after Game-6 of the best-of-seven final playoffs at Lugogo, November 5, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Not this time.
This time Odong ended up on the winning side, he ended as an NBL for the first time in his career - the first time since 2012 that a club not named the City Oilers won the title.
James Okello grabbed a game-high 16 points for Namuwongo, while Jimmy Enabu, Peter Obleng and Tony Drileba had 12, 11, and 10 points for the Blazers.
Namuwongo Blazers celebrate with the trophy after Game-6 of the best-of-seven final playoffs at Lugogo, November 5, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Chad Bowie had 13 for the Oilers, with Fayed Bbaale adding 11. Mer Maker and Kurt Wegscheider had 10 points apiece.
The Oilers opened the series with two wins, but once Namuwongo won Game 3, it never looked back.