U18 basketball team gets AfroBasket lifeline after tournament moved to July

Uganda's U18 boys' basketball team will now compete in the FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers after FIBA Africa postponed the tournament to July, offering the Junior Silverbacks a lifeline following the country's loss of hosting rights.

Uganda had been scheduled to host the qualifiers in Hoima from June 14–20 before FIBA Africa moved the event to Egypt due to concerns over a recent Ebola outbreak. The decision initially appeared to end Uganda's hopes of competing.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) had announced the boys' team would not travel after the competition was brought forward, leaving insufficient time to secure visas, travel documents, and assemble players based abroad.

However, FIBA Africa has since rescheduled the tournament to July 23, giving Uganda enough time to prepare.

FUBA CEO Marcus Kwikiriza called the loss of hosting rights a major setback.

"It was a huge setback because we had already completed three training camps and were preparing for the fourth. The initial decision to pull out was based on the dates being brought forward and not having enough time to prepare travel documents. With the Ebola situation, it was also not a smart move because Uganda was under heightened watch," he told Vision Sports.

The revised dates have changed the situation significantly. "With the tournament now moved to next month, Uganda can participate because this gives us enough time to get all documents ready, bring our players together, and prepare properly."

The development is crucial for the U18 boys, who still need to qualify for the 2026 AfroBasket Championship. The U18 girls have already secured their place after reaching the semifinals of the previous edition in South Africa.

Kwikiriza said FUBA will now assess next steps before resuming preparations. "We shall resume training with strict SOP guidelines. We only received the communication on Tuesday, so we will sit with the team and decide on the next steps."

The loss of hosting rights is another reminder of how health challenges can disrupt sports. The Ministry of Health has already suspended marathons, walkathons, concerts, and community recreational activities due to crowd concerns. While organised leagues continue, uncertainty remains.

The timing is delicate: the National Basketball League is entering a crucial stage, and Uganda is preparing for major international events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which it will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

FUBA insists youth development remains central to its long-term strategy. "Our youth programmes are an integral part of our plans. The progress we have made in U16 and U18 basketball is not accidental—it is a deliberate effort," Kwikiriza said.

All health measures remain in place. "All SOPs are in place, and strict adherence will always be administered in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines. The lesson is simple: safety should always come first."

The coming months will be busy for Ugandan basketball. The Silverbacks are preparing for the second window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in July, while the 3x3 teams gear up for the Women's Series, Commonwealth Games, and Youth Nations League competitions.