By Michael Ainomugisha
Uganda Christian University’s Lady Canons made a perfect start to their National Basketball League semi-final campaign with a commanding 57–46 win over defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins in Game One, played on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, at YMCA Wandegeya.
Coach Nicholas Natuhereza’s side opened with a 14–9 first-quarter lead, but the Dolphins regrouped to level matters at halftime, 25–25.
The Lady Canons took charge in the third quarter, outscoring JKL 20–13 to build a seven-point cushion. From there, they held firm, closing the game with authority for an 11-point victory.
Captain Shillah Lamunu led from the front, producing a stellar double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, her heroics proving decisive in handing the Mukono side the opening edge in this best-of-five series.
She was well supported by Hajara Najjuko, who added 10 points, making her the only other Lady Canon to hit double digits. On the opposite end, JKL struggled offensively, with only Hope Akello reaching double figures on 11 points.
The Lady Canons’ defence was rock solid, limiting the Dolphins’ scoring options. They dominated the boards with 54 rebounds, seven more than JKL, and forced errors through 14 steals and two blocks. Shooting from distance was their main concern; just 4 of 27 three-point attempts dropped, but they made up for it with sharp execution inside, converting 20 of 38 field attempts.
The two sides will return to the same court on Friday, 3 October 2025, for Game Two, where UCU will look to stretch their advantage, while JKL seek an immediate response to keep their title defence alive.
