YMCA Hamstars Hold Off Power Basketball Club to Stay Unbeaten in Uganda Division 1

The YMCA Hamstars continued their impressive start to the Uganda Division 1 season, defeating Power Basketball Club 61-53 on June 28, 2026, in Kampala. The victory keeps the Hamstars near the top of the standings, as they showcased a disciplined defensive effort that neutralized Power's interior attack.

Match Overview

Played at the YMCA Sports Complex, the game was tightly contested throughout. Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, with the Hamstars leading 14-12. Power Basketball Club used a strong second quarter to take a 29-27 lead into halftime. However, the Hamstars' defense tightened in the third, holding Power to just 10 points while building a 46-39 advantage. Power made a late push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 56-53 with two minutes remaining, but the Hamstars secured the win with free throws and a key steal in the final minute.

Key Performances

• YMCA Hamstars: Shooting guard David Ochieng led all scorers with 19 points, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Center Emmanuel Mugisha added 10 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double.
• Power Basketball Club: Forward Isaac Ssempijja posted 15 points and 8 rebounds, but was plagued by foul trouble. Point guard Peter Kiwanuka had 12 points and 5 assists but committed 6 turnovers.

Defensive Dominance

The Hamstars forced 18 turnovers, converting them into 16 points. Their zone defense in the second half limited Power to 24 points after the break, compared to 29 in the first half. Power's normally efficient offense shot just 36% from the field, well below their season average.

Standings Context

With this win, the YMCA Hamstars improve to 5-1, tied for first place with Kampala Basketball Club. Power Basketball Club drops to 3-3, sitting in the middle of the 12-team Division 1 table. The Hamstars will face another tough test next weekend against UCU Lady Canons (men's team) in a crucial mid-season matchup, while Power looks to bounce back against the Nkumba Lady Marines.