Namuwongo Blazers continued to rise in the Uganda basketball hierarchy on Saturday, outlasting the City Oilers 81-74 in an overtime Game 7 thriller at Hoima City Arena to secure the 2026 National Basketball League title.
Entering the winner-take-all game on the heels of a dramatic comeback to tie the series 3-3, the Blazers channelled their late-series momentum into a composure-driven victory, securing their second consecutive crown.
The championship decider lived up to its high-stakes anticipation, staying tightly contested across all four quarters before reaching a dramatic climax in regulation.
With seconds remaining on the clock, Oilers forward Landry Ndikumana stepped up to the charity stripe and coolly sank his free throws to draw the teams level, sending the championship-deciding match into overtime.
When the game extended into extra time, the Blazers’ tactical execution and defensive discipline became the ultimate differentiator.
Namuwongo shut down entry passes into the key and forced the Oilers into low-percentage looks, while methodically capitalising on their own offensive possessions to build a decisive lead before the final buzzer sounded.
Playoffs Most Valuable Player Fataki Nyembo delivered a masterclass performance to anchor the champions’ offence, pouring in a game-high 35 points to cap off a dominant postseason run.
He received vital scoring support from teammates Jimmy Enabu and Anthony Chukwurah, who posted 12 points apiece to steady the team during high-pressure spells.
The Oilers put up a valiant effort, led by Patrick Rembert’s team-high 27 points, along with double-digit contributions from Fayed Bbaale (14 points) and Ndikumana (10).
However, the Oilers were unable to break down Namuwongo’s overtime lockdown. The victory solidifies a major shift in the national basketball landscape, firmly establishing the Blazers at the top of Ugandan basketball for now.
