The defending Uganda NBL champions, City Oilers, continued their march towards yet another title with a hard-fought 72–66 victory over Rez Life on July 26, 2026. The Oilers used a dominant second half to overcome a stubborn Rez Life side that had led for much of the first half. The win keeps City Oilers firmly in the hunt for top spot in the league standings, while Rez Life will rue missed opportunities in a game that slipped away in the final quarter.

Match Overview

Played at a neutral venue, the contest was tightly contested from the opening tip. Rez Life came out with high energy, using a fast-paced offence to build an early lead. City Oilers struggled to find their rhythm initially, trailing by as many as eight points in the second quarter. But as the half wore on, the Oilers’ experience and defensive discipline began to show. They cut the deficit to just three points by halftime, setting up a tense second half.

Second Half Comeback

City Oilers turned the game around in the third quarter, outscoring Rez Life 22–14. Their full-court press forced several turnovers, which led to easy transition buckets. The Oilers’ big men dominated the paint, grabbing crucial offensive rebounds and converting second-chance points. Rez Life fought back bravely in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to four points with three minutes remaining, but City Oilers’ veteran guard play in the closing stages sealed the result.

Key Performers

• City Oilers: Forward James Omondi paced the winners with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Guard Brian Namake added 16 points and 5 assists, including a clutch three-pointer with two minutes left.
• Rez Life: Point guard Peter Mwangi led all scorers with 22 points, but he had little support from the rest of the lineup. Center David Otim contributed 10 rebounds but was held to just 6 points.

Season Impact

The victory improves City Oilers’ record to 12–2, keeping them level with league leaders KCCA Panthers at the top of the Uganda NBL table. Rez Life slips to 8–6 and now faces a crucial phase of the season as they try to secure a playoff spot. The result also extends City Oilers’ head-to-head dominance over Rez Life, having now won five of their last six meetings.

With the playoffs approaching, City Oilers will look to build on this gritty performance. Rez Life, meanwhile, will need to address their second-half fadeouts if they hope to challenge the league’s elite teams.