Prisons vow to defend title as 2026 National Woodball League tees off
According to the Uganda Woodball Federation (UWBF) General Secretary, Kato Adam, this season's tournament will feature both trophies and prize money for the top competitors.
A Bugema University player in action during a previous league match. Photo by Johnson Were
Three-time defending champions Prisons have vowed to defend their title as the 2026 National Woodball League tees off this Sunday, October 25, 2026, at the Prisons Fairway Course in Luzira, Kampala District.
"We are out for it and it cannot start in the mid-season, but now we are looking to win with whatever fixture comes out," Samson Rugongeza said.
Nine men's teams and seven women's teams—including the defending champions—have confirmed their participation in the league.
According to the Uganda Woodball Federation (UWBF) General Secretary, Kato Adam, this season's tournament will feature both trophies and prize money for the top competitors.
League debutants Bank of Uganda (BOU) have made a major statement by signing former three-time Woodball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Thomas Khedi. The national team captain has vowed to lead his new squad straight to a podium finish.
"We are debutants in the league, but we are ready and just waiting to see how the fixtures run. Our main target is a podium finish, and we shall go for it," Khedi said.
Khedi added that they are not limiting their ambitions to just a podium finish but are actively aiming to dethrone the defending champions.
"We know it is going to be a tough and competitive league, but we are not limiting ourselves. We want to dethrone the defending champions, Prisons Woodball Club," Khedi added.
Bank of Uganda boasts a strong roster, including veteran William Osire, Kennedy Mutungusa, Norbert Dramani, and Godwin Nakaana. However, the powerhouse Prisons team counters with experienced stars such as Samson Rugongeza, Isaac Ariho, Daniel Apita, Crescent Rwanyombya, and Isaac Nabugere.
The men's category features Bank of Uganda, Kampala University Stars, Prisons, Ndejje, Ministry of Public Service, Makerere University, University of Kisubi, and Kampala International University (KIU) Club.
In the women's category, the battle will feature Kampala University, Ndejje, Makerere, UNIK, Kampala International University (KIU), and the defending champions, the Ministry of Public Service (MOPS).
UWBF Technical Director Fredrick Busulwa confirmed that the venue is set. "The battleground is ready, and we are only waiting for the teams to showcase their skills."