By Andrew Gum
The 2025 Ugandan National Basketball League (NBL) regular season has revealed a potential shift in the basketball landscape, with the City Oilers, the reigning champions for 10 consecutive seasons, struggling significantly. Having lost 10 of their 21 games, the Oilers appear underprepared to defend their title, marking this as one of their toughest seasons since their promotion in 2011.
While their historical dominance suggests they could rebound in the playoffs, their current 11-10 record signals that a new champion may emerge, as the team grapples with unprecedented challenges.
Their recent 82-74 loss to the Namuwongo Blazers marked their 10th defeat, leaving their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Edgar Munaba led the Oilers with 25 points, and Fayed Baale added 16, but Oiler’s 24 points off turnovers in the first half and 13 missed free throws out of 25 attempts proved costly. The Blazers, powered by Joel Lukoji and Augustine Chukwurah, capitalised on these errors, with Tonny Drileba’s late three-pointer sealing the Oilers’ fate.
Playoff chances
The City Oilers are currently in a terrible position where results from their closer rival alter their chance of qualification.
To secure a playoff berth, the Oilers must win their final regular-season game against the JKL Dolphins and they pray that Victoria crocs and Reizlife get bad results for them to qualify.
The Oilers’ chances of missing the playoffs are significant but not insurmountable. If they lose to the JKL Dolphins, and teams like KCCA or others in the 9–11-win range (e.g, Victoria Crocs, 9-11) win their final games, the Oilers could fall out of the top eight.
Based on their current standing and the competitive nature of the league, their playoff probability is approximately 60-70 per cent, contingent on their final game’s outcome.
A victory would likely secure their spot, given their tiebreaker advantages from earlier wins (e.g, against KIU Titans). However, their recent performance suggests that even if they qualify, advancing deep into the playoffs will be challenging against top teams like the Blazers or UCU Canons even.
Reasons for the struggles
Earlier in the season, the Oilers started with back-to-back losses to the Blazers (81-80) and JT Jaguars (74-64), signaling early trouble. Their struggles continued with losses to top teams like KCCA Panthers, Kampala Rockets, and Sommet, who defeated them by three points in Round 21.
Coaching Transition: The departure of long-time head coach Mandy Juruni in December 2023 to join Kepler in Rwanda marked a significant shift. Andrew Tendo, Juruni’s assistant, took over and led the team to a 2024 championship, but the adjustment to his leadership style may have disrupted team dynamics.
Players Transfer: City Oilers lost core players like Jimmy Enabu, James Okello, Ivan Muhwezi and Tonny Drileba, these former Oilers have now signed with rivals Namugongo Blazers, a move that has contributed significantly to the Blazers’ impressive form this season. Their presence has had an immediate effect, with their talent and experience greatly enhancing the team’s performance and positioning them as strong contenders for the championship
There have been allegations of internal problems stretching from last season, with rumors pointing to growing tension among players. It indicates that dissatisfaction over contracts and financial matters related to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) may have lowered team morale. It is also believed that these issues may have influenced the planned exits of key players like Enabu, Okello, and Drileba.
