Uncertainty of several countries taking part in the part in the upcoming Africa Zone-5 basketball championship qualifiers in Kigali is growing by the day.

After Tanzania, Uganda is the latest country uncertain of competing in the 2009 Afro-basket qualifiers that will be staged at Amahoro’s newly refurbished indoor stadium from February 23-March 1.

According to latest reports, the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) is working round the clock to raise Shs84m (Frw 29m) to help field two teams (men and women) in the qualifiers.

The Daily Monitor, quoted, Fuba’s assistant general secretary Joseph Manano saying that the teams (men and women) are already in none-residential training but lack of funds threatens to spoil their preparations.

"We contracted Anfield Communications recently to help us solicit funds from corporate bodies. However, we are yet to get any feedback but there is a lot of hope,” Manano said. It is very likely that the federation will be fined should they fail to take part in the qualifiers.

Last year, Fuba escaped a fine and a possible suspension from international competitions by Fiba-Africa when Falcons failed to participate in the Africa Zone 5 Club Championships in Ethiopia that were won by APR. Other countries lined up for the qualifiers include Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, Zanzibar, Burundi, Kenya and hosts Rwanda.

Ends