Uganda’s National basketball team, the Silverbacks will have to wait a little longer and hope for another shot at qualification to this year's FIBA Afrobasket.
The team returned home from Monastir, Tunisia on Sunday after the cancellation of their games due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp.
Just hours to their first game of the second window, team Uganda were advised by FIBA Africa that they cannot remain in the bubble because of the outbreak.
Five members of the Ugandan delegation returned positive results and this prompted the authorities to have all the games involving the Silverbacks cancelled.
"Following the COVID-19 Protocol for FIBA Official National Team and Club Competitions and the advice of its Medical Commission," read part of the FIBA communication.
"FIBA has decided to postpone the games of Uganda in the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers in Monastir, Tunisia, with the health and safety of players, coaches and officials being the primary consideration."
"FIBA will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and communicate any further updates regarding its competitions if necessary."
Uganda were meant to play Egypt on February 18, Morocco on February 20, and Cape Verde on February 21.
Uganda's hopes will now lie in FIBA organizing an independent tournament to decide the fate of group E.
Before the second window, Uganda had won two games of the qualifying process to sit second on the log.
Uganda are now bottom of the group after the other games were played.
Egypt is the only team to have sealed their place in Group E having won all their games.
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The writer is a Freelance Sports Reporter based in Kampala, Uganda. Follow him on Twitter (@Emanzi20), Facebook (Ndyamuhaki J. Emanzi), and Instagram (@emanzi20).