Basketball ruling body in the country, FUBA, has confirmed that the junior teams will take part in the coming FIBA Africa U16 National Championships qualifiers set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda from June 10-15, 2019.
Uganda will send both the boys (Junior Silverbacks) and Girls (Junior Gazelles), and they will depart on June 8, 2019.
This was confirmed during a press briefing held a UOC on Monday morning with FUBA’s General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge, General Manager National team committee Hajji Santur Mohammed, Assistant Grace Kwizera, Arnold Katabi (PR and Marketing), Escodata Stephen Nyeko (Youth Commissioner) among others were present.
The regional Zone V championship will also double as qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA Africa U16 Girls Basketball Championship also to be hosted by Rwanda, in August.
Uganda will compete with other countries like Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia.
The teams have been holding regular training sessions – The boys, under coach Ronnie Mutebi (Warriors) and Henry Malinga (JKL) while the girls are under Coach Roger Sserunyigo (UMU Ravens) and Harriet Lubowa.
“We have had two weeks training,” said coach Mutebi. “We started with 60 boys and now I have 18 who are training at GEMS Cambridge Luzira.”
The girls entered residential camp on Sunday at Africa Bible University in Lubowa.
The team is made of students from Gems, KISU, St Balikudembe, Crane High, Taibah among others.
Uganda will be targeting to finish among the top teams to get a slot at the FIBA Africa U16 Nations Championship 2019 edition.
The Squads:
Boys – Valentino Labeja, Musoke Muwanguzi Luswata, Karugire Mugina, Rwabogo Mumutiine Rubanza, Alex Twahili, Anguci Dralega, Mpungu Cyril Francis, Justine Evan Odoch, Moustapha Lalani, Micah Owiny Abraham, Joel Andinda, Sharma Suubi, Andrew Ssendawula, Roland Muwanguzi Waliggo, Frank Elvis Tumusiime, Adrian Nsokwa David, Adrian Nsokwa David, Adukan Elijah Obware, Harold Amara.
Girls – Esther Kwagala, Mary Najjuma, Linda Aber, Shilla Lamunu, Patience Karungi, Gertrude Nyamutooro, Sylvia Nasagorwoth, Sylvia Namuddu, Rwabogo Kendagano, Regina Ajuma, Penitah Nabakooza, Patience Nantume, Gift Naluyima Bisoboka, Mary Najjuma, Alinda Mutabazi
