By 
Namuwongo Blazers have asked the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) to postpone Game Six of the National Basketball League (NBL) Finals against City Oilers until their protest over player eligibility is resolved.
The Blazers made the request in a formal communication to FUBA following their 78-73 defeat to City Oilers in Game Five on Sunday, a result that left the defending champions trailing 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
City Oilers need one more victory to reclaim the NBL title, while Namuwongo must win Game Six to force a decisive Game Seven.
However, the Blazers want the game delayed as FUBA considers their complaint concerning six City Oilers players — Malual Dier, Germaine Roebuck Jr., Patrick Rembert, Isaac Athuai Akoal, Joel Lukoji Banza and Landry Ndikumana.
Namuwongo’s protest centres on the foreign-player limit under Section 2.01(h) of the 2026 FUBA Competition Rules and Regulations, which permits an NBL club to register and use a maximum of four foreign players on a game day.
The Blazers argue that Malual should be classified as a foreign player and have asked FUBA to independently verify his nationality and citizenship status. They want the federation to examine his current and previous passports, birth and civil-registration records, citizenship documents, parentage records, National Identification Number and other relevant registration documents.
The club has also asked FUBA to verify the nationality, registration status, licences, clearance letters and game-day eligibility of all six players named in the protest.
Namuwongo further wants the federation to examine the official scoresheet, team roster, player licences and other competition records to establish whether City Oilers exceeded the permitted foreign-player quota during Game Five.
In its communication, the Blazers also asked FUBA to consider referring the matter to the Ministry of Internal Affairs or other competent authorities where necessary to verify citizenship and the authenticity of documents.
The club maintains that it followed the prescribed procedure when lodging the protest. According to the submission, the team captain notified the crew chief within 15 minutes of the final whistle, signed the official scoresheet and submitted proof of payment of the required US$100 protest fee. The protest was subsequently filed within the 24-hour period provided for under the regulations.
Namuwongo have also asked FUBA to apply the relevant sanctions if a breach is established, including any penalties arising from the use of an ineligible player or exceeding the foreign-player limit.
More importantly, the Blazers have requested that Game Six be postponed until the eligibility dispute is determined.
They argue that proceeding with the game before the protest is resolved could prejudice the club and undermine the fairness and integrity of the championship series.
The request puts FUBA in a difficult position with Game Six scheduled for 9pm tonight at the Lugogo Indoor Arena.
City Oilers are one win away from an 11th NBL championship, while Namuwongo are fighting to keep their title defence alive.
FUBA is yet to announce whether it will grant the postponement request or issue a ruling on the eligibility protest before Game Six.
The federation’s decision could have significant consequences for the remainder of the finals, with the Blazers also asking for sufficient time to prepare for Games Six and Seven should the schedule be altered.
