Namuwongo Blazers will host the Road to Basketball Africa League (BAL) tournament at Hoima City Arena from October 21 to 25, with Uganda targeting a place in the next qualifying round.

The 2026 National Basketball League champions secured hosting rights for the five-day competition, which marks the first international tournament at the new facility.

Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) president Marcus Kwiikiriiza said the tournament presents an opportunity to showcase Uganda’s sporting infrastructure and hosting capabilities.

“The top two teams from this group will proceed to the Elite 16,” Kwiikiriiza said, adding that the competition is sanctioned by FIBA and NBA Africa.

Namuwongo Blazers chief executive Daniel Muttu Obol said hosting the tournament would give Ugandan fans an opportunity to watch continental basketball without travelling abroad.

The club has strengthened its squad with foreign players from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United States, Nigeria and Senegal as it seeks to compete against regional opponents.

Obol urged fans to turn up in support of the hosts, stressing that the tournament represents Uganda rather than the club alone.

Five teams will compete, with Burundi, South Sudan, Madagascar and Comoros represented alongside Uganda’s Namuwongo Blazers. South Sudan’s Patriots Basketball Club has confirmed its participation.

“We are not just coming to play a game, we are coming as the country at large and our boys are ready to carry our flag and we request all our supporters to come and support the country as we represent. To all the participants, the clubs that are participating in this, we really hope it will be a competitive tournament and I appreciate everyone who will be here,” Machar Alier -Aguaar, Secretary General Patriotism BC basketball

Kwiikiriiza said matches would be played twice daily, with proposed weekday tip-offs at 4pm and 7pm, while weekend games could start at 2pm and 5pm.

Ordinary tickets will cost sh25,000, VIP tickets sh50,000 and courtside VVIP tickets sh150,000. Each ticket will cover all matches played on the day.

Organisers also plan to work with tourism partners to give visiting teams an opportunity to explore Hoima and its surroundings, subject to the competition schedule.

The top two sides will advance to the Elite 16, keeping their hopes of reaching the BAL finals alive.