Uganda U18 boys left stranded after AfroBasket switch to Egypt

The biggest victims of FIBA Africa's decision to withdraw Uganda's hosting rights for the 2026 FIBA U18 AfroBasket Zone V Qualifiers are not officials or administrators.

They are the young Uganda U18 boys who have lost an opportunity to compete for a place at the continental championship.

Uganda had been scheduled to host the tournament in Hoima from June 14 to 20, but FIBA Africa moved the event to Egypt following concerns arising from the recent Ebola outbreak in Uganda.

While the Uganda U18 girls had already secured qualification to the African championship after reaching the semifinals of the previous edition in South Africa, the boys still needed to earn their place through the qualifiers. Hosting the tournament would have given Uganda a major advantage. Playing at home, backed by local fans and familiar conditions, would have increased their chances of reaching the continental finals.

However, the change of venue and dates left the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) with little room to organise travel arrangements.

FUBA chief executive officer Marcus Kwikiriza told Vision Sport that the decision not to send the boys' team was largely influenced by logistical challenges.

"The tournament, which was initially scheduled to start on June 14, was moved to Egypt and brought forward to June 10. That only gave FUBA about ten days to process visas for all players, which was not realistic," Kwikiriza explained.

"Most of our players who were abroad had already secured the earlier dates. Asking them to travel a week earlier became impossible. There was also uncertainty regarding quarantine requirements upon arrival," he added.

Financial considerations also played a role.

"Since we already had representation in the finals with the girls, we decided to focus on that. As you know, our funds are limited and cannot be spent on 'what ifs' and 'maybe' situations," Kwikiriza said.

The development is a painful setback for a generation of players that had been preparing for months. For many of them, the tournament represented a chance to showcase their talent on the regional stage and take a step closer to international basketball.

Yet beyond the immediate disappointment, the bigger concern is what the decision means for Ugandan sport. The loss of hosting rights is another reminder that health challenges can quickly affect sporting activities. Many Ugandans still remember how COVID-19 brought competitions to a standstill, leaving athletes without training and federations struggling financially.

Already, the Ministry of Health has suspended marathons, walkathons, concerts, and community recreational activities because they attract large crowds. Although organised leagues continue, uncertainty remains over what could happen if the health situation changes.

The timing is delicate. The National Basketball League is entering a crucial stage, while several other competitions across different sports are approaching important periods. Uganda is also preparing for major international events, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which it will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

Despite the setback, FUBA insists the long-term development of young players will continue.

"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 by our youth coaches, commissioners, and management. We are building for the future from the ground up," Kwikiriza said.

He also revealed that FUBA remains in constant communication with FIBA and has maintained all youth development programmes.

"We have never stopped those programmes, and we have plans to keep the players engaged moving forward," he said.

The federation has also assured that health guidelines remain a priority during ongoing basketball activities.

"All standard operating procedures are in place, and strict adherence will always be administered in accordance with Ministry of Health guidelines," Kwikiriza noted.

Perhaps the biggest lesson from the entire episode is that safety must always come first.

"Unfortunately, this is one of those situations that nobody can prepare for. It was beyond the control of both the federation and the ministry. The lesson is simple: safety should always come first," Kwikiriza concluded.