By Michael Ainomugisha
Uganda Christian University’s UCU Lady Canons were on Sunday, August 30, crowned National Basketball League champions after defeating JT Lady Jaguars 63–49 to seal a 4–1 victory in the best-of-seven finals.
The ninth title did not come without a delay.
UCU had entered Friday’s Game Four with the opportunity to complete a clean sweep, but a 72–52 defeat gave the Jaguars a lifeline and forced the series into a fifth game. For the Lady Canons, however, the wait only made the moment sweeter.
Two days later, they returned to the court with another opportunity to finish the job, and this time, there was no escape for the Jaguars.
The Lady Canons, true to the identity that carried them through a demanding campaign, shut the door when it mattered most. Mariam Namukwaya, Shillah Lamunu, Martina Anyango, Sarah Namale and Zoe Atek combined for 17 points in the final quarter as UCU pulled away to a comfortable 63–49 victory and another championship celebration.
At the centre of it all was Martina Anyango.
Anyango was named the National Basketball League Playoffs Most Valuable Player, Best Centre and Best Rebounder after an outstanding postseason campaign. In the five finals games alone, she collected 73 rebounds and scored 70 points, ending the series with three individual honours and a championship medal.
The title takes UCU back to the summit of Ugandan women’s basketball and extends their record to nine National Basketball League championships.
The Lady Canons’ journey to dominance began in 2008 when they won their first league title, breaking through an era dominated by established sides such as Makerere Sparks and KCCA.
They followed it with back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011 before building one of the most dominant periods in Ugandan women’s basketball. UCU won four more titles in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Their eighth championship came in 2022 when they defeated JKL Lady Dolphins 75–67 in the finals.
After three seasons without lifting the trophy, the championship has now returned to Mukono.
With the ninth title safely added to a trophy cabinet that already holds championships from 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022, the UCU Lady Canons once again stand at the top of Ugandan women’s basketball.
