Junior Silverbacks Aim for Strong Start at 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket
Wednesday, September 4*Uganda Vs Angola – 4pm
Uganda boys’ U18 national basketball team, the Junior Silverbacks, are set to kick off their 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket campaign with a challenging opener against Angola in Group B on Wednesday.
The tournament is currently underway in South Africa, with the Girls (Junior Gazelles) having beaten Zimbabwe in their opener.
This marks Junior Silverbacks’ third appearance at this prestigious level, having previously competed in 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda, and in 2018 in Bamako, Mali, where they finished 9th and 10th, respectively.
However, the Junior Silverbacks face a stern test in Angola, a four-time champion and the team with the most appearances in the tournament’s history.
This year will mark Angola’s 20th participation in the event, having only missed out on the first edition in 1977 and 2020 event, both held in Egypt.
Uganda finds itself in a tough group, with defending champions Egypt and record seven-time winners Nigeria also in Group B.
The group phase will see teams play in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
Additionally, the two best third-placed teams across all groups will also progress to the knockout stages.
In the quarterfinals, winners will move on to the semifinals, while the losers will compete in classification games to determine the 5th to 8th places.
The tournament will culminate with the final and the third-place playoff on September 14.
The Junior Silverbacks earned their spot in this tournament by winning the FIBA U18 Zone V Championship earlier this year.
Uganda has some talents to look out for, including Joel Rugette, who was instrumental in their Zone V triumph, averaging 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Rugette is not new to continental events, having averaged 27 points at the U16 Afrobasket in Tunisia last year.
However, the team will be without head coach Andrew Tendo, who did not travel due to his commitments with City Oilers. Michael Seger and Moses Okwera will lead the team in his absence.
The squad features many of the players who shone in the Zone V Championship, including Edrine Ekau, Mukisa Nkugwa, Aaron Victor Makmot, Brighton Galiwango, and Peter Sserunjogi.
Uganda last faced Angola at the 2016 FIBA U18 Afrobasket, where they suffered a heavy 59-105 defeat. The team, back then, included players like Ivan Muhwezi, Mathew Ochieng, Gideon Kasasa, Elvis Ssentongo, Henry Okoth, and Arion Osama.
Groups
Group A: Mali, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Senegal.Group B: Egypt, Angola, Angola, Nigeria.Group C: South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, Rwanda.
Junior Silverbacks Aim for Strong Start at 2024 FIBA U18 Afrobasket
News
Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
News
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
News
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
-
News22 hours ago
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
-
News22 hours ago
Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
-
News23 hours ago
Uganda Law Society to Establish Independent Commission to Combat Judicial Corruption and Restore Accountability
-
News23 hours ago
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
-
News23 hours ago
Ghana Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
-
News23 hours ago
Winnie Byanyima Vows to Camp at Luzira Prison if Denied Access to Besigye