UCU Lady Canons defend FASU 3×3 title, book World Cup spot

Uganda Christian University’s (UCU) Lady Canons have once again demonstrated their dominance on the African university basketball stage by successfully defending the Federation of African University Sports (FASU) Afro Varsity 3×3 Championship title in 2026.

In a pulsating grand finale held in Ibadan, Nigeria, the Lady Canons outclassed Kenya’s United States International University (USIU-Africa) with a convincing 21–15 victory, cementing their status as one of the continent’s premier women’s university basketball teams.

The triumph not only reinforces UCU Lady Canons’ supremacy in the Afro Varsity tournament but also guarantees their participation in the 2026 FISU University 3×3 World Cup, scheduled for October in Macau, China, a milestone that promises to showcase the team on the global stage.

The Lady Canons’ journey to glory was marked by consistency, precision, and resilience. They began their campaign in Pool B, securing maximum points with commanding victories over Nigeria’s Afe Babalola University and the University of Abuja.

Demonstrating tactical prowess and mental fortitude, the team advanced to the quarter-finals, where they outplayed Kenya’s Kisii University, prevailing 14–8. Their semi-final encounter against hosts Obafemi Awolowo University further highlighted their dominance, as the Lady Canons dismantled the home side 16–7 to secure a berth in the championship match.

The squad that achieved this remarkable feat comprised Martina Anyango, Shilla Lamunu, Sylvia Nakituuka, and Zoe Atek, a group whose cohesion, skill, and determination proved unstoppable throughout the tournament.

While the women’s team celebrated continental glory, the men’s side, the UCU Canons, came agonizingly close to a podium finish. They faced USIU-Africa in the third-place playoff but fell 21–13, leaving the Kenyan team to claim bronze.

The UCU Canons’ squad featured experienced campaigners Joel Kayiira, Solomon Olara, Flore Dushime, and Marvin Okurut, who fought valiantly but ultimately fell short in a hard-fought contest.