Watoto Basketball Club have finally reached Uganda’s National Basketball League (NBL) after a seven-year journey marked by promotion, relegation and a remarkable playoff comeback against Berkley.
Watoto sealed their place in the top flight with a 54-51 victory over Berkley in Game Five of the FUBA Division One playoff semifinals at YMCA Court in Wandegeya, completing a 3-2 series comeback after losing the opening two games.
Head coach Moses Okwera and his players responded with three consecutive victories, overturning the deficit to book their place in the Division One final against KIU Titans. Both finalists have secured promotion to the NBL for the upcoming season.
For Okwera, the achievement is the reward for years of building the team and overcoming setbacks.
“It’s been a journey of like seven years,” he said, tracing the club’s beginnings to coaches Calvin Oule and Milton Ashaba, who introduced Watoto to Division Two.
The club spent several seasons in the lower division before earning promotion to Division One. However, its progress stalled last year when it was relegated back to Division Two.
Okwera attributed the setback to injuries and the challenge of balancing basketball with education, as several players were still in school.
“We were relegated because at that time most kids were in school and there were injuries. There was a lot that was going on,” he explained.
Watoto had also won the school’s championship, making it difficult to balance the team’s commitments.
But the club regrouped and returned to Division One, where it faced Berkley in a semifinal that carried memories of a painful defeat.
Berkley had beaten Watoto 3-0 in the previous season’s playoff final, making this year’s series a chance to turn the tables.
“They swept us; they beat us 3-0. But now it’s like revenge. We beat them,” Okwera said.
Watoto looked in trouble after losing the first two games but refused to give up. They edged Berkley 51-49 in Game Three before winning Game Four to force a decider.
In Game Five, Victor Aaron Makmot led the way with 20 points as Watoto won 54-51 to complete the comeback and secure promotion.
“So it was revenge. Yes, so this has been the journey,” Okwera added.
A journey built on developing talent
Watoto’s rise has also involved developing young players, including Daniel Muganzi, who helped the club earn promotion from Division Two before moving to UCU Canons.
Muganzi was delighted to see his former teammates complete their comeback and reach the NBL.
“I’m so super excited for them,” he said.
“Actually, a historical comeback for them. I wasn’t expecting it, but we thank God. I’m actually so excited for them to make it to the finals.”
Having witnessed the club’s progress, Muganzi described the achievement as a reward for years of hard work.
“Most of these guys have played Division Two since 2022. We’ve been looking towards this from the time we’ve been playing. We’ve been in Division Two, we’ve been in Division One, so now here we are in the NBL,” said James Osinde, another Watoto player, reflecting on the team’s journey.
Osinde, who is owned by UCU Canons, also featured for Watoto during their successful playoff campaign. Asked which team he would represent in the NBL, he left the question open.
“Let’s leave that for the future,” he said.
Muganzi, meanwhile, warned his former teammates that life in the top flight would demand greater preparation.
“They should actually come prepared. They should come prepared because NBL, NBL is hot,” he said.
The UCU Canons guard is looking forward to facing Watoto in the league, including in matches against his side and Namuwongo Blazers.
“And I can’t wait to see them playing against me and against Namuwongo,” he added.
Watoto’s journey has also been a story of patience. After winning the FUBA Division Two National Basketball Championship in 2023 to earn promotion, the club spent the following seasons trying to establish itself in Division One.
Relegation threatened to slow that progress, but the team fought back and now has a place among Uganda’s top basketball clubs.
The Division One final against KIU Titans offers Watoto a chance to finish the campaign with silverware, but their main objective has already been achieved.