The UCU Canons secured a dramatic 61–60 victory over the Victoria Crocs in a tightly contested Uganda NBL clash on July 18, 2026. In a game that came down to the final possession, the Canons managed to hold off a resilient Crocs side to claim a hard-fought home win.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams displayed intense defensive pressure, making scoring difficult. The first quarter ended with a narrow lead for the Canons, but the Crocs responded with a strong second quarter to take a slim advantage into halftime. The third quarter saw multiple lead changes, setting up a tense fourth quarter where every possession mattered. With the score tied at 59–59 in the final minute, a key defensive stop by UCU led to a go-ahead free throw, and a last-second three-point attempt by Victoria rimmed out, sealing the 61–60 result.

Key Moments

• First-half grind: UCU Canons struggled from the field but stayed within reach, trailing 30–28 at halftime.
• Third-quarter rally: The Canons opened the second half with a 10–2 run, regaining the lead 40–36.
• Clutch free throws: With 15 seconds left, UCU forward Jacob Ssempijja made one of two free throws to put his team ahead 61–60.
• Final defensive stand: Victoria Crocs’ guard Brian Nsubuga drove to the basket but had his layup contested, forcing a desperate three that missed as time expired.

Standout Players

UCU Canons: Center Peter Kamya led all scorers with 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, dominating the paint on both ends. Point guard Mark Waiswa added 12 points and 5 assists, including the crucial pass that set up the game-winning free-throw opportunity.

Victoria Crocs: Forward Daniel Ochieng posted a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while guard Andrew Mugisha chipped in 16 points but struggled with his outside shot (2-of-8 from three). The Crocs will rue a costly turnover in the final minute that allowed UCU to take the lead.

Season Impact

The victory moves the UCU Canons to 12–5 on the season, keeping them firmly in the top four of the Uganda NBL standings. For Victoria Crocs, the narrow loss drops them to 10–7, but they remain a playoff contender. The Canons’ ability to win close games – their third such victory by five points or fewer this season – underlines their growing resilience under pressure. This rivalry continues to deliver edge-of-the-seat entertainment for Ugandan basketball fans.