UG3x3 Hits Weekend Highs: Young Guns Shine in Kampala

UG3x3 Hits Weekend Highs: Young Guns Shine in Kampala.

This past weekend, Kampala hosted another exciting stop of the Uganda 3×3 basketball series — the nationally-recognised fast-paced version of the game that continues to provide a platform for emerging talent under the age of 25.

Event overview

Organised in partnership with Mountain Dew, Red Rhino Sports and the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA), this edition saw teams from across Kampala and surrounding regions competing for spots in the grand finale scheduled later in the year. The series features qualifiers in Kampala, Mukono, Gulu and Mbarara.

Prize money has been increased this year. At each stop, the winning teams earn a significant purse; in the final, champions will take home UGX 2 million, while runners-up will receive UGX 1 million.

Stand-out performances & results

Although full official results for this weekend’s stop are still being finalised, the event showcased several standout performances and reaffirmed the strength of youth competition in Uganda.

• In previous rounds, for instance, the team Team 3‑Peat claimed the ladies’ title at the Kampala circuit, going a perfect 6-0 and dominating with an 11-5 win in their opener and a 15-9 victory in the final.
• Last year’s champions remain respected benchmarks: in the inaugural edition, St Noa were crowned the ladies’ winners (16-11 over Team 3-Peat) and Cole World took the men’s crown (16-14 over Team VBL).

What we learned

• Young talent upping the game: The under-25 rule is clearly helping spotlight rising players who may not yet be in the full senior leagues but have definitive hunger, energy and skill.
• 3×3 format’s appeal: With fewer players, faster play, and intense action, the 3×3 format is gaining traction in Uganda’s basketball ecosystem — a pathway not just for fun but for skill development.
• Grass-roots to national linkage: With qualifiers spread across regional centres, this series is increasingly becoming a national grassroots feeder, not just a Kampala affair.
• Brand & sport synergy: The involvement of Mountain Dew underlines the commercial and youth-culture resonance of the event; one organiser noted that “3×3 is one of the ways to grow the game of basketball in Uganda.”

What’s next & what to watch for

The next stops in the series will head to Mukono, then Gulu and Mbarara, leading into the grand finale later in December. Teams that pick up strong form early will likely carry momentum into that final event.

A few things to keep an eye on:

• Which teams manage to string wins together across stops (consistency will matter).
• Individual breakout players — those who might use this platform to get noticed by larger clubs or scouts.
• How regional stops compare — whether central-region teams dominate or regional talent breaks through.
• The final prize battle: UGX 2 million for the champs, so expect intense competition.

Final thoughts

This weekend’s UG3x3 stop reinforced the growing vibrancy of the 3×3 basketball scene in Uganda. The format’s energy, the youthful rosters and the regional spread all bode well for the game’s future in the country. For teams and players, it’s a golden chance to make a mark. For fans, it’s fast, fun and high-octane sport.