Teen star Tejan Joel highlights Uganda’s squad rebuild in 2025 Men’s AfroBasket campaign, Angola
Uganda’s men’s basketball team, the Silverbacks, has named a youthful 12-man squad for the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket, set for August 12–24 in Angola.
Leading the new wave is 16-year-old Tejan Joel Rugette, a standout at the FIBA U-18 Zone V qualifiers, where he was named MVP after averaging 10 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists.
He captained the Junior Silverbacks to a spot at the U-18 African Championship and now steps up to the senior team.
Also making their senior debuts are Lubowa Naseef, Christopher Mubiru, and Emmanuel Mugenga, who replaces Jacksen Mori due to clearance issues.
Only three players in the squad; Fayed Baale, Ivan Muhwezi, and Joel Kayiira are based in Uganda, showing the team’s growing reliance on overseas talent.
The Silverbacks head to South Africa on Thursday for a training camp that runs through August 11 before flying to Angola. Uganda is in Group D alongside Senegal, Mali, and Egypt.
Final Squad:
1. Rugette Tejan Joel
2. Lubowa Naseef
3. Baale Fayed
4. Muhwezi Ivan
5. Ishmael Wainright
6. Odoch Opong Robinson
7. Mubiru Christopher
8. Womala Emmanuel
9. Gue Deng
10. Kayiira Joel
11. Komagum Jonathan
12. Moni Jacksen
