FUBA Cancels NBL Games in Hoima

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) has cancelled the National Basketball League (NBL) second-round fixtures that had been scheduled to take place at Hoima City Stadium.

According to SportsNation Uganda, the decision follows strong opposition from National Basketball League club managers, who raised concerns over the high costs associated with hosting the games in Hoima.

There had been a series of discussions involving the federation, league management, and clubs regarding the proposed relocation of the fixtures, before a final decision was reached to cancel the Hoima arrangement.

Initially, the second-round games had been rescheduled to take place at the newly constructed Hoima City Stadium, with fixtures set for May 22 to May 24 across both indoor and outdoor courts.

FUBA Vice President and General Secretary Hudson Ssegamwenge confirmed the development.

“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 told SportsNation Uganda.

“But we got a backlash from the club managers, saying that it would be costly.”

FUBA had earlier secured clearance from the National Council of Sports to use Hoima City Stadium, as part of efforts to decentralize basketball and expand the game beyond Kampala.

“Managers didn’t receive it well, so we discussed it and have decided to pause it. We will engage further and determine the best time to host games there,” he added.

Ssegamwenge noted that while the fixture dates will remain unchanged, the federation will identify an alternative venue and communicate it in due course.

Clubs had reportedly budgeted for delegations of about 20 people, with costs estimated at a minimum of UGX 5 million for the three-day stay in Hoima, a factor that contributed to their concerns and the eventual cancellation.

The second round of the National Basketball League will now tip off on April 24 at Lugogo, with additional venues including UCU Mukono, Abja Park Naalya, Rezlife Lubowa, YMCA Wandegeya, Hamz Stadium Nakivubo, and Jaguars Den Kira set to host games.

Meanwhile, the FIBA AfroBasket U18 Zone V Qualifiers will proceed as planned at Hoima City Stadium, running from June 14 to June 20, 2026.