By Michael Ainomugisha.
UCU Lady Canons opened their 2026 National Basketball League season with a dominant 73–29 win over Angels on Sunday, 8th February, a performance marked by team balance and scoring from every player who touched the court at Lugogo Indoor Arena.
The defending finalists started strongly, racing to a 13–0 lead inside five minutes, with four points from Nakituuka and nine from center Martina Anyango. Coach Nicholas Natuhereza then rotated heavily, withdrawing the entire starting unit of Slyvia Nakituuka, Sarah Namale, Martina Anyango, Shillah Lamunu, and captain Malaika Najjuko.
Debutants Mariam Namukwaya and Faith Aseru, along with forwards Zoe Atek and Sylvia Nantongo and guard Saima Christine, took over the floor. The group added four points, including a point each from Atek and Namukwaya and two from Saima, closing the first quarter at 17–6.
By the fifth minute of the second quarter, UCU led 24–10, prompting further changes as debutant Nakibuka Doreen and four starters returned. The Lady Canons closed the half with a 38–17 advantage.
At the end of the third quarter, Natuhereza’s team had stretched the lead to 56–23, with every player who had featured already on the scoreboard.
In the fifth minute of the final quarter, guard Asacha Mariam, the only player who had not yet appeared, entered the game and scored two points immediately.
It ensured that all eleven Lady Canons contributed at least a point.
Captain Shillah Lamunu said the team approached the opener with clear intent.
“We are ready. The season has started. We are prepared and everyone is ready to work and stay consistent. The mentality is about us. We are not looking at other teams. We are coming strong and coming harder,” she said.
She added that the team wanted to avoid taking the fixture lightly after last season’s walkover against Angels.
“We came in with a mindset not to undermine any team. Last season the game was a walkover, but we did not want that mentality this year. We are preparing for the entire season, not for one opponent. It is about doing our part and everyone playing their role,” she said.
Anyango and Nantongo led UCU’s scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Angels’ Namatovu Joan finished with eight.
