Peter Obleng led a five-player double-digit scoring effort as Namuwongo Blazers launched their 2026 Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) campaign with a commanding 109-45 victory over Ushindzi at Hoima City Arena on Wednesday.

The Ugandan side delivered an emphatic performance, combining offensive efficiency with disciplined defence to register a 64-point victory and make a strong statement in their pursuit of qualification for the Elite 16.

Obleng topped the scoring charts with 22 points, while Makhtar Gueye added 20. Frank Nyembo contributed 18 points, Johnathan Jordan finished with 11, and Felix Pack chipped in with 10 as the Blazers demonstrated their attacking depth.

Namuwongo also dominated the boards, with Peter Olisemeka collecting 15 rebounds and Moses Mugisha adding 10 to help the team maintain control throughout the contest.

For Ushindzi, Saindou Houmadi was the standout performer, finishing with 15 points as his side struggled to match the Blazers’ intensity.

Blazers Set the Pace Early

Namuwongo wasted little time asserting their dominance, opening the game with a 7-0 run that immediately put Ushindzi under pressure.

Ushindzi responded through Luco Ramiandrisoa, who connected from beyond the arc, but the Blazers continued to dictate the tempo and exploit gaps in their opponents’ defence.

Ansal Salim capped the first quarter with a driving layup, although Ushindzi remained firmly behind at 31-14.

The second quarter proved even more challenging for the visitors as Namuwongo intensified their offensive pressure and continued to convert scoring opportunities.

The Blazers went into halftime with a commanding 62-28 advantage, leaving Ushindzi facing a difficult task to mount a comeback.

Obleng Leads Second-Half Charge

After the interval, Namuwongo head coach Luis Lopez Hernandez rotated his squad, giving local players more playing time while ensuring the team’s dominance remained intact.

The Blazers continued to find ways through the Ushindzi defence, extending their lead as the third quarter progressed.

Obleng brought the period to a close with a floating jump shot, taking Namuwongo into the final quarter with an imposing 82-39 lead.

With the home crowd at Hoima City Arena cheering them on, the Blazers entered the fourth quarter firmly in control of the contest.

Their defensive performance improved further in the closing period, restricting Ushindzi to just six points while continuing to add to their own tally.

The final buzzer confirmed a comprehensive 109-45 victory for Namuwongo, underlining the gulf between the two sides on the day.

Positive Start to Road to BAL Campaign

The result provides Namuwongo Blazers with an encouraging start to their continental qualification campaign as they seek to progress to the Elite 16 and move closer to a place in the Basketball Africa League.

Their balanced scoring, dominance on the boards and ability to limit Ushindzi’s offensive production will offer head coach Hernandez plenty of positives to build on as the competition progresses.

For Ushindzi, the heavy defeat highlights the need for improvement at both ends of the court as they look to respond in their remaining fixtures.

Namuwongo will now aim to maintain their momentum and build on Wednesday’s impressive performance in their bid to secure further progress in the Road to BAL competition.