The meeting of the Miracle Eaglets and the Updf Lady Tomahawks slated for Wednesday night, February 11 could not come sooner for the latter.
After beating the Magic Stormers in the National Basketball League (NBL) 51-41 on Sunday, February 8 at the Lugogo Indoor stadium, the Tomahawks must be licking their lips.
Yet, following the Tomahawks’ commanding victory over last year’s women’s semi-finalists, the Stormers, no one beyond their point-guard Ruth Letaru, 28 can boast of having had a more memorable match-day one in the 2026 season.
Letaru, who joined the Tomahawks on the back of winning the 2025 championship with JKL Lady Dolphins, opened her account with 24 points, close to half of her team’s aggregate score.
Although Letaru had done well with JKL last year in the half season that she played for the five-time league champions, few would probably remember seeing her impose herself in a game, and even dominate it by scoring the decisive points.
Letaru said: “It is true what you have pointed out. Previously, in my career, I have largely concentrated on being a facilitator; helping the team execute plays. But now, I want to continue growing my game by adding new qualities to it.”
In adding new qualities, Letaru sees herself as a player that can contribute a lot more going forward. She revealed that her aim is to become a frequent scorer for her team, too, because she knows there is a lot of quality in her locker.
Moses Muhumuza, the assistant coach of the Tomahawks noted that having watched Letaru for a while, they knew she possessed the qualities to be instrumental in their side.
“Beyond the fact that she is a good ball handler and distributor, Letaru is a periemeter shooter. But at the same time, she has got the drive. She can beat opponents in a one on one situation. So, the moment she joined us, we had to give her the license to express herself. That is the reason why she was explosive against the Magic Stormers,” Muhumuza said.
Considering the experience of playing for the UCU Lady Canons, JT Lady Jaguars, and JKL Lady Dolphins, Letaru comes with a lot of experience playing in the NBL. Such is what the Tomahawks intend to milk out of Letaru in order to become a more competitive side.
In fact, Letaru could have joined them sooner because head coach Alex Onen contacted her when she left the Jaguars at the beginning of 2025. But the opportunity to play for the defending champions, JKL, was too good to turn down.
“I will admit, I wanted to experience what it felt like playing alongside winners and national team players. As a person, I relish competition in a team. So, I wanted to challenge myself against stars like Flavia Oketcho and Evelyn Nakiyingi. It all turned out good,” Letaru said.
Indeed it was good for Letaru at JKL because for many games in the playoffs, she was not just a regular, but a starting point-guard. Being at JKL helped her improve her game tremendously.
This, she attributes to the fact that her coaches, Henry Malinga and Brian Namake are top tutors of the game, and they taught her a lot. Therefore, Letaru has arrived at the Tomahawks in prime shape. Her level of competitiveness could be seen from the word go against the Stormers.
Her hassle play especially in defence showed a dogged determination, which appeared to rub off the rest of her teammates. Over the last two seasons that the Tomahawks have been in the NBL, intensity was not a facet they boasted of.
Yet, that is Letaru’s game generally. Perhaps, the talented point guards she found at the Tomahawks, Pauline Nantume and Vanessa Kakai can learn from Letaru’s experience.
However, Muhumuza said that their team continues to grow, and therefore, the improvements are also a result of the passage of time, marked out by heavy load on the court. He added that this year, their target is the playoff finals.
The Tomahawks will in all likelihood have to improve their front court for a final to be realized. But first, they must show consistency by denying the Eaglets, who lost their opener to the Victoria She Crocs 34-45, any Miracle at the YMCA, Wandegeya.