Uganda’s basketball fraternity is mourning the death of basketball official Andrew Oboth, who passed away after a reported medical condition that left him severely anaemic.
The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) on Thursday announced Oboth’s death, describing it as a painful loss to the sport and extending condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of basketball official Andrew Oboth,” FUBA said. “Our deepest sympathies to the family, friends and loved ones. May God comfort you in this trying period. May Andrew’s soul rest in eternal peace.”
Oboth’s body is expected to be taken to Kawala today, Friday for viewing and a vigil before it departs for Tororo on Saturday morning. He will be laid to rest on Sunday in Tororo.
A source told this publication that Oboth had been battling a medical condition that affected his blood levels.
“Oboth had a medical condition that caused him to be anaemic - Lack of enough blood in the body,” the source said. “By the time he went to see his doctor, it was late.”
His body is currently at Rhino Funeral Home in Kabuusu.
Oboth’s death adds to a growing list of painful losses that have hit Uganda’s sports community in recent months, cutting across several disciplines including basketball, rugby, football and athletics.
The basketball fraternity had earlier been shaken by the death of JKL Dolphins player Jonathan Oketch, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a road crash in June.
In the same month, rugby mourned Uganda Rugby Cranes and Black Pirates player Sydney Gongodyo, who died at the age of 27 following a tragic incident involving mob violence in Nakawa Division, Kampala.
Women’s football also lost one of its respected figures after former She Corporate FC captain Cissy “Kajoozi” Nantongo passed away at Mulago National Referral Hospital in June.
Basketball suffered another setback in May when 18-year-old rising star Maxine Modesta Anyango of St Noa Girls Secondary School died while undergoing surgery for a knee injury sustained during the USSSA Ball Games.
The wider sports fraternity also mourned former Uganda Cranes winger Obadiah Ssemakula, popularly known as “Movo Guanga”, whose death in June marked the end of an era for one of the country’s football icons from the 1970s and 1980s.
In April, volleyball circles were left grieving following the death of legislator and Cobab Volleyball Club player Helen Nachimuli after an unsuccessful surgery.
Oboth’s passing now adds another chapter to a difficult period for Uganda’s athletes, officials and sports supporters who have continued to lose prominent figures who contributed to the growth of different sporting disciplines.
