When Uganda was qualifying for the 2015 Afrobasket, there were faces that were not familiar to the Ugandan basketball legion.
They got the job done and helped Uganda qualify for her first ever Afrobasket where they went on to finish 15th at the finals in Tunisia.
Ugandan back court was dominated by foreign based charges with Josh Johnson and John Balwigaire running the show at the Lugogo Indoor stadium as Uganda finished second to Egypt to qualify ahead of Rwanda.
John Balwigaire was later recognized for his outstanding performance at the tournament but that was the last time he featured for the Silverbacks.
He was selected for the finals in Tunisia but was not cleared by FIBA to play as Uganda only relied on 11 of the 12 players in Tunis to avoid the last slot with a win over Zimbabwe.
One of the reasons Johnson played in 2015 was because Ben Komakech was injured and couldn’t play for the national team.
He has since fallen out of pecking order with Juruni preferring Komakech and also using Jimmy Enabu as an option at the point.
Sweden based Samuel Mukooza and Kassim Nangwere have also been phased out with locally based guards getting a bite of the cherry in the qualifiers held in Egypt in March this year.
Jonah Otim and Mark Opio were the backup guards in Egypt as the national team committee only managed to fly in forwards Stanley Ociti and A’darius Pegues for the competition.
Brandon Ssebirumbi is the other player who played at the continental showpiece in 2015 but is yet to return to the team. He is currently playing in Spain but was not called up for this tournament.
Marial Dhal had a less-than-convincing display in Tunisia and may have played his last game for Uganda in 2015 while Henry Malinga has since retired from the national team.
The former Warriors and KIU Titans center turned down a call up for the qualifiers early this year and was not considered this time round as he is not actively playing.
Ivan Lumanyika is the other player who may have played his last game for the national team. Lumanyika’s problem has never been inability to play but rather unwillingness to professionally stay in line. He was recently sent packing by KIU Titans.
Silverbacks in 2015
Josh Johnson, John Balwigaire (Did not play), Kassim Nangwere, Samuel Mukooza, Steven Omony, Jimmy Abraham Enabu, Joseph Ikong Anyuru, Samuel Kalwanyi, Stanley Ociti Ochaya, Henry Malinga, Marial Dhal and Brandon Ssebirumbi.
Silverbacks 2017
Ben Komakech, Jimmy Abraham Enabu, Syrus Kiviiri, Robinson Odoch Opong, Jonathan Egau, Jonah Kermu Otim, Joseph Ikong Anyuru, Stephen Omony, James Okello, Stanley Mugerwa, Samuel Kalwanyi, Stanley Ocitti Ochaya and A’darius Pegues