KAMPALA (Uganda) – As the Uganda Silverbacks prepare for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket in Angola, they are filled with ambition and faced with unanswered questions.
Their historic sixth-place finish in 2021 — the best in their AfroBasket history — still resonates with fans. However, it also sets a high bar that the team will be eager to meet or exceed.
This time, however, the team enters the tournament with one vital ingredient in short supply: experience.
On July 30, the technical staff of the team announced a new 12-person roster for the competition.
This roster differs significantly from the group that competed in the qualifiers in Tripoli, Libya, earlier this year. While the team features fresh energy and promising youth, it lacks the depth of AfroBasket-tested veterans that often define deep tournament runs.
Headlining the roster is 16-year-old prodigy Tejan Joel Rugette, whose name has steadily risen in Ugandan basketball circles. Joining him are seasoned veterans Ishmael Wainwright and Robinson Opong, two leaders with the poise and presence to guide a young squad through high-pressure situations.
Uganda was drawn into Group D and will face African heavyweights Senegal, Mali, and Egypt — all of whom are former podium finishers. In stark contrast, Uganda is the only team in the group without an AfroBasket medal. The 2025 edition poses a daunting challenge but also a golden opportunity. Can the Silverbacks rise to the occasion and make their mark on the biggest stage in African basketball?
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Road to Angola 2025
Uganda had a mixed journey to this year's tournament, marked by hard-fought battles and narrow defeats.
They finished the qualifiers with two wins and four losses, three of which came by five points or fewer. Their record may not sparkle, but their effort certainly did.
In the first qualifying window in February 2024 in Monastir, Tunisia, the Silverbacks opened their campaign with a narrow 78–73 loss to Cape Verde.
They responded with one of their best performances of the campaign, stunning Nigeria with a 72–62 win.
A 71–59 loss Libya, closed out the window. However, Uganda had proven that they could compete with larger, more experienced teams.
In the second window, in Tripoli, Libya, the Silverbacks edged Cape Verde again, this time in a thrilling 63–60 victory.
However, they suffered a 20-point defeat to Nigeria and a narrow 3-point loss to hosts Libya. Though inconsistent, the Silverbacks never folded — they forced every opponent to earn their victory. Uganda may not have dominated, but they refused to be dominated.
AfroBasket History
Uganda’s relationship with the AfroBasket tournament is still relatively young, but not without memorable moments. The Silverbacks made their debut in 2015 in Tunisia, finishing 15th in their first outing.
In 2017, they returned to the competition co-hosted by Tunisia and Senegal, improving modestly to a 13th-place finish.
Their true breakthrough came in 2021, when Uganda reached the Quarter-Finals in Kigali, Rwanda. Their dream run ended in a 79–71 loss to Cape Verde, but their sixth-place finish made headlines. It marked a turning point for Ugandan basketball, proving that the Silverbacks belonged on Africa’s biggest stage.
Now preparing for their fourth consecutive AfroBasket appearance, Uganda aims not just to participate — but to compete, contend, and possibly make history.
Coaching Staff
American tactician George Galanopoulos is back at the helm of Uganda. He takes over for his longtime associate coach Mandy Juruny, who led the team throughout the qualifiers.
Galanopoulos first led Uganda during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers. He was the man in charge of Uganda at the 2021 AfroBasket.
Key Players
Uganda’s 2025 squad is a mix of fresh promise and veteran experience. Meet some of the players who are expected to stand out in Angola.
Ishmael Wainwright (13 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game)
His standout performance came against Cape Verde, where he logged 16 points and 7 rebounds. More than just a stat-filler, Wainwright’s leadership and passing vision — evidenced by his 6 and 7 assists against Nigeria and Libya respectively — provide a steady hand in high-stakes moments.
Robinson Opong (19.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game)
Opong remains Uganda’s most explosive scorer. A fearless shooting guard standing 6’2", he led the Silverbacks in scoring during the Qualifiers, averaging 19.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists over six games. He was electric in the first window, dropping 39 points against Nigeria in a high-stakes performance. His ability to rise in big moments will be essential for Uganda’s success in Angola.
Tejan Joel Rugette
The teenage sensation is set to make his senior team debut before his 17th birthday. A standout captain of the Junior Silverbacks, Rugette led his team to victory in the Zone 5 U18 AfroBasket Qualifying tournament last year in Uganda. He averaged 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists while earning MVP honors. Now, he steps onto the AfroBasket stage — a bold move by the coaching staff, and a powerful statement about Uganda’s future.
Outlook
Uganda may not be the favorites in Angola, but they are an impossible team to dismiss.
Their journey through the qualifiers showcased their grit, their history reveals their steady growth, and their roster offers just enough firepower to shake up Group D.
If the Silverbacks can find their rhythm early on, perform well in close games, and rely on their veterans while empowering their younger players, they could once again defy expectations.
The question is no longer whether Uganda belongs at AfroBasket. They do. The real question is whether they can take the next step and etch their name into the tournament’s lasting history. Only time and the court in Angola will tell.
FIBA