By Michael Ainomugisha
Uganda Christian University’s Lady Canons begin their 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) Finals campaign against regular-season leaders. JT Lady Jaguars 19th August at Lugogo Indoor Arena, with Coach Nicholas Natuhereza calling for patience and control as the two sides meet in Game One.
UCU reached the finals after defeating KCCA Leopards 3–1 in the semi-finals, including an 84–53 victory in Game Four. The Lady Canons now face a Jaguars side that Natuhereza says has also had a strong playoff run.
“I think every year we go out there knowing that we have a good chance to compete and win. This year we have a group that has had some experience playing in the playoffs, not necessarily winning, but I think they are in a position to compete and go all the way,” Natuhereza said.
The Lady Canons have lost three games this season, including two against the Jaguars and one against KCCA in the semi-finals. Natuhereza believes the experience gained through those games, alongside their playoff run, gives his players a better understanding of what is required at this stage.
“Hopefully this will be the year we play against a good team like the Jaguars and a lot of experience,” he said.
The two teams are also familiar with each other, with several players on the Jaguars roster having previously been part of the UCU system, including the head coach, Sudi Ulanga. For Natuhereza, that familiarity works both ways.
“It’s a bit of both, considering that many of the players know us, of course, and we have done pretty much the same thing for a while,” he said.
“Of course, we shall adjust some things, but they understand most of the things that we try to do. And also, us knowing them means that we understand how we might be able to control them when the games come around.”
However, UCU’s coach does not expect familiarity to decide the series. He believes control and execution will be more important once the team’s step onto the court.
“The most important thing is to go out there and be able to play, and whoever has the most control, most poise and execution will be successful,” Natuhereza said.
One of UCU’s challenges has been managing the team when captain Shillah Lamunu is off the court. Natuhereza admitted there has been some uncertainty in such moments but believes the regular-season minutes given to other players have helped prepare them for the pressure of the finals.
“Maybe a bit of panic,” he said when asked what happens when Lamunu is off the court.
“Some of them have not been exposed to that environment enough, especially in the playoffs. But I feel like this season we have gotten a lot of them to play and give them minutes throughout the regular season and even in the playoffs. So, yeah, there has been a confidence booster for them, and they will play like it when the games come.”
The finals also bring UCU back to a stage familiar to the programme. The Lady Canons have won eight NBL titles, with their most recent championship coming in 2022 after defeating JKL Lady Dolphins in the finals.
UCU’s first women’s NBL title came in 2008, followed by championships in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022. The return to the finals gives the Lady Canons an opportunity to add another chapter to a programme that has remained a consistent presence in Ugandan women’s basketball.
The Lady Canons missed last year’s final after losing to JKL Lady Dolphins in the semi-finals. Their return this season therefore gives Natuhereza’s side another opportunity to compete for the league title.
With Game One approaching, Natuhereza is satisfied with the team’s preparation but does not want his players looking beyond the opening game.
“I think we’re ready. We don’t have anything to complain about. I think we’ve had a good run coming out of the semifinals. Hopefully, that carries on,” he said.
For the Lady Canons, the focus is now on Game One before any thoughts of the wider series.
“And again, I think it’s too early to get carried away. Our focus now is Game One. See how that goes. See how to adjust after that. Take it a game at a time and see how everything ends. Hopefully, we’ll be successful,” he added.
