• 2026 FUBA Division One | Wednesday, October 14
• Watoto BC 59-64 KIU Titans 

KIU Titans and Kampala University Ladies took the first steps towards the 2026 FUBA Division One titles after winning their respective finals openers at YMCA on Wednesday.

The Titans edged Watoto 64-59 in a thrilling men’s contest, while Kampala University beat Seeta High 48-43 in the women’s final to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series.

Daniel Odokonyero led KIU with a game-high 18 points, five steals, four assists and four rebounds, while Yesman Bushiri added 16 points and four rebounds off the bench to help the Titans hold off Watoto.

Chieng Garang also made his presence felt with 10 points, 16 rebounds and three steals as KIU secured a hard-fought victory.

Watoto threatened to take the opener but struggled to contain the Titans in the closing minutes.

KIU led 15-11 after the first quarter and opened the second with an 8-0 run, including two three-pointers, to stretch their advantage.

Watoto responded with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit before another unanswered eight points late in the half turned the game around.

Elijah Nsereko scored the final five points of the half, including a buzzer-beater, to give Watoto a 33-31 lead at halftime.

The Titans responded after the break, limiting Watoto to just two field goals in the opening six minutes of the third quarter while scoring 11 points to take control.

A 6-0 run late in the quarter put KIU ahead 51-46 heading into the final period.

The game remained tight in the closing minutes, with KIU holding a two-point lead with less than three minutes remaining.

Richard Mutuwulu hit a crucial 3-pointer for the Titans, but Nsereko immediately answered with one of his own to keep Watoto in contention.

Garang missed two free throws that could have extended KIU’s lead to four points, while James Osinde missed a lay-up at the other end.

Watoto then committed back-to-back turnovers, allowing the Titans to score three points and open up a five-point lead. KIU held on to win 64-59.

Nsereko led Watoto with 14 points, while Sydney David Walusimbi recorded 13 points, 18 rebounds, three assists and three steals. Victor Makmot added nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Titans will return to YMCA on Friday, October 16, for Game Two, hoping to extend their lead.

Women: Kampala University Ladies hold off Seeta High

• Kampala University Ladies 48-43 Seeta High 

Kampala University Ladies also took a 1-0 lead in the women’s final after beating Seeta High 48-43 in a closely contested, low-scoring game.

Rose Musundi led the university side with 10 points, 11 rebounds and nine steals, disrupting Seeta High’s attack at both ends of the court.

Mary Asio Divota also scored 10 points, adding six rebounds and two assists, while Victoria Nalwanga contributed nine points and 10 rebounds.

Kampala University started slowly as Seeta High edged the first quarter 13-12, but tightened their defence in the second period.

Seeta managed just eight points as Kampala University scored 15 to take a 27-21 halftime lead.

Scoring remained low after the break, with the teams combining for only 14 points in the third quarter. Kampala University maintained their advantage, leading 33-29 heading into the final period.

Seeta High tried to close the gap, but Nalwanga’s three-pointer with less than two minutes remaining stretched Kampala University’s lead to eight points.

The university side held on to win 48-43 and move closer to the title.

Bilha Akinyi led Seeta High with a game-high 12 points, while Stephanie Kristine posted a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds, alongside seven steals. Achomo Lucky added 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists and five steals.

Kampala University, who have enjoyed a lengthy unbeaten run, will aim to maintain their form in Game Two on Friday, October 16, at the YMCA in Wandegeya.

All the teams playing in the Finals have already qualified to the 2027 National Basketball League.