The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) has decided to scrap National Basketball League fixtures that had been scheduled to be played at Hoima City Stadium in the forthcoming second round.
This, SportsNation Uganda has been told, that it follows strong opposition from club managers over the high cost of the trip.
Furthermore, this website has exclusively learnt that the decision was reached after several discussions between FUBA, League management, and clubs.
For the first time, part of the second-round fixtures had been slated for the newly constructed Hoima City Stadium, with games planned for Friday, May 22, Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 at both the indoor and outdoor courts of the mukti-purpose facility built in preparation for the forthcoming AFCON 2027.
However, with all National Basketball League teams based in the central region, clubs raised concerns over the financial burden of spending an entire weekend in Hoima.
FUBA Vice President and General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge confirmed the development when contacted by this website.
“We have been discussing with teams since we issued out the fixtures. Initially, we had held talks with the league management and they bought the idea,” Ssegamwenge exclusively told this website.
“But we got a backlash from the club managers, saying that it will be costly.”
FUBA had secured clearance from the National Council of Sports to use Hoima City Stadium as part of efforts to spread basketball across the country and take the game beyond Kampala.
“Managers didn’t receive it well, so we discussed it and have decided to pause it. We will discuss more and see when best to have the games there,” he added.
Ssegamwenge revealed that while the dates for the fixtures will remain unchanged, FUBA will now secure an alternative venue and communicate it in due course.
The financial implications were a major sticking point for clubs, with estimates showing that a team would spend close to Shs5 million for a three-day stay in Hoima.
This would cater for transportation, accommodation and feeding for a travelling delegation of about 20 people, including 12 players.
The amount is even higher than the Shs4.5 million clubs pay as season subscription fees and nearly 10 times what teams usually spend on a normal matchday at regular venues such as Lugogo Indoor Arena or YMCA Court in Wandegeya.
Among the high-profile fixtures that had initially been lined up for Hoima was the much-anticipated clash between Namuwongo Blazers and City Oilers, a repeat of last season’s National Basketball League final.
Despite the league games being put on hold, Hoima will still host the FIBA AfroBasket U18 Zone V Qualifiers from June 14 to 20, 2026, as earlier confirmed by FUBA.
The second round of the National Basketball League will officially tip off on April 24 at Lugogo, just 12 days after the conclusion of the first round.
On opening night, JT Lady Jaguars will take on UCU Lady Canons before Sommet faces JT Jaguars in the men’s category.
Other venues confirmed for the second round include UCU Mukono, Abja Park Naalya, Rezlife Lubowa, YMCA Wandegeya, Jaguars Den Kira and Hamz Stadium Nakivubo.
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