UGANDA’S Namuwongo Blazers have tooled up for their second appearance at the Road to BAL. The champions of Uganda’s National Basketball League (NBL) have brought in an experienced Spanish coach, Luis Lopez Hernandez.
Hernandez, who recently coached Rwanda’s Kepler University, has led Mozambique’s Ferroviario da Beira to three national championships and two appearances in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Namwungo did not spare any expense on talent by signing American point guard Jonathan Jordan, whom the Democratic Republic of Congo has naturalised. Jordan has extensive experience in the BAL and Road to BAL, having played for FUS Rabat and Egypt’s Al Ahly.
Another returnee is NBL MVP Franck Nyembo, who has played for the Democratic Republic of Congo in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Africa qualifiers. Senegal’s Makhtar Gueye, who has played in the FIBA 2019 Basketball World Cup and four BAL competitions, brings versatility on the front and back court.
Another useful signing is that of Nigerian centre Peter Olisameka, who recently helped lead Rivers Hoopers to a Nigeria Premier Basketball League title. American Richaud Pack, who played for Kriol Star at the 2025 BAL, will strengthen Namuwongo’s front court.
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