City Oilers and the Blazers in action
HOIMA — Under the spirit of Omukama Kabalega, Hoima is preparing for a night that could be etched into Uganda’s sporting history, with Hoima West Division MP Hon. Ismael Kasule rallying residents and basketball fans to turn up in big numbers for the decisive Game 7 of the 2026 National Basketball League finals.
The Namuwongo Blazers and City Oilers are set to face off this Saturday August 22, at the Hoima City Stadium Arena in a winner-takes-all showdown after the two sides fought their way to a 3-3 deadlock in the finals.
Kasule has called upon the people of Hoima and the wider Bunyoro region to come out in large numbers, fill the arena and give the historic encounter the atmosphere it deserves.
For the Hoima West MP, the occasion represents more than a basketball game. It is a moment for the city to showcase its passion for sport, celebrate its young people and demonstrate that major national sporting events can thrive at the new magnificent Stadium.
The arrival of Game 7 in Hoima has generated excitement across the city, with fans preparing for what promises to be one of the biggest basketball occasions ever hosted in the region.
Kasule’s rallying call is also a message of regional pride — urging residents to take ownership of the event and show the country the hospitality, energy and enthusiasm of the people of Bunyoro.
Beyond the court, the game is expected to create opportunities for local businesses, with increased activity anticipated across hotels, restaurants, transport services, retail outlets and other enterprises as supporters and visitors converge on Hoima.
For the city’s young people, the encounter offers an opportunity to watch Uganda’s top basketball talent on home soil and to draw inspiration from athletes competing at the highest level of the national game.
A Rivalry Too Close to Call
The championship itself could hardly be more evenly balanced.
Since 2022, the Oilers and Blazers have met 24 times, with each side claiming 12 victories. Their 2026 finals series has followed the same pattern, with neither team able to establish decisive superiority.
With the series tied at 3-3, there is now only one game left.
The City Oilers are fighting to protect a dynasty built on years of dominance, experience and championship success.
The Namuwongo Blazers, meanwhile, are chasing a victory that could signal the beginning of a new era in Ugandan basketball.
Game 7 will settle the argument.
But for Hoima, the significance will extend beyond the final score.
It is a chance for the city to stand in the national spotlight and show that Bunyoro is ready to host the country’s biggest sporting spectacles.
And as the lights come on at Hoima City Stadium Arena, Kasule wants the message from Hoima to be unmistakable:
