Uganda names squads for FIBA U16 Africa Championships

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has named the squads for the FIBA U16 Africa Championships.

The tournament will be held in Monastir, Tunisia from July 13-23.

Uganda will be represented by two teams – the Junior Silverbacks (boys) and the Junior Gazelles (girls).

The Junior Silverbacks qualified for the championships after winning the FIBA U16 Zone Five tournament in Kigali, Rwanda last month. They beat hosts Rwanda before easing past Tanzania.

Uganda’s best player at the tournament, Joel Tejan Rugette, is part of the travelling squad.

Five players – Bono Mujuni, Najimal Latim, Ladho Emmanuel, Mayen Gany Madul and Owiny Zuri – have not made the cut from the team that featured in Kigali.

This will be the second time the Junior Silverbacks are playing at the championship after their debut in Egypt in 2021 where Uganda finished fifth out of the six teams, with their only win coming against Gabon.

The Junior Gazelles qualified for the tournament by virtue of finishing fourth in the previous tournament in Egypt.

And this will be the third time playing at this stage having finished fifth in Rwanda in 2019 and fourth in Tunisia in 2021.

The tournament runs every two years and brings together the best of Africa’s young players.

To date, Egypt has won the most titles, triumphing 5 times in 7 editions. Angola and Mali follow with a title each.

It’s worth noting that the tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2024 FIBA U17 World Championships.

The winner and the runners-up in Tunisia in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will punch their tickets for next year’s World Cup.

Mali (women) and Egypt (men) are the defending champions.

Boys: Joel Tejan Rugette, Harry Tindebwa, Aaron Makmot, Isaac Munashe, Terrence Obua, Victor Mwesigwa, Trinity Kwizera, Amos Mugisha, Christian Aine, Newton Kayongo, Keon Walusimbi, Calvin Ssenkungu.

Girls: Nalugo Patricia, Nakayenga Vanessa, Jane Nakera, Shiphra Kiranda, Angella Auma, Taliba Melissa, Bamanya Karabo, Alaba Belinda, Anyango Maxine, Namagembe Husna, Atim Olivia, Hope Nami Viglio.

Technical: Barbra Okot (head of delegation), Michael Seger (coach), John Omondi (coach), Peace Nakirijja (coach), Moses Okwera (coach).