By 
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has written a golden chapter in African university sports by becoming the first African institution ever to reach the semifinals of the FISU University 3×3 Basketball World Cup and sealing the journey with a brilliant bronze medal finish in Brasília, Brazil.
The UCU Lady Canons, representing Uganda and the African continent, delivered a tournament to remember, lifting the profile of African basketball with skill, discipline, and unbreakable spirit.
UCU’s charge through the competition was marked by intensity and precision, proving they were contenders on the world stage. Their semifinal qualification alone was record-breaking—no African university had previously reached that far in the tournament’s history.
In the third-place playoff, they produced a performance fueled by heart and determination, defeating China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology in a gripping 18–15 showdown. The win secured UCU not just a medal, but Africa’s first-ever top-three finish at the global university event.
With the pressure high and pride on the line, UCU showed remarkable composure. Every possession, every defensive stop, every shot mattered and the Lady Canons delivered.
Their 18–15 victory was more than a scoreline, it was a statement message that African university basketball belongs on the world stage.
Adding to the celebrations, UCU’s Tracy Namugosa was crowned Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the entire tournament an extraordinary achievement highlighting her dominance, leadership, and impact throughout the World Cup.
Her performance was a driving force behind UCU’s historic run and a proud moment for Ugandan and African basketball.
By finishing among the world’s elite, UCU has raised the bar for African university sports, inspiring a new generation of athletes and setting a benchmark for future continental participation in global competitions.
Their success in Brasília stands as a testament to hard work, strong coaching, and the relentless determination of the Lady Canons to represent their university and country with excellence.
UCU’s 2025 FISU 3×3 World Cup journey will be remembered not just for the medal, but for the history it created and the pride it ignited across Uganda and Africa.
The Lady Canons return home as trailblazers, record-setters, and champions of a continent proof that dreams backed by effort and belief can rewrite narratives on the world stage.
