KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has held talks with Claire Akamanzi, Chief Executive Officer of NBA Africa, on proposals aimed at expanding and professionalising basketball in Uganda, including the possible rollout of an NBA Junior League targeting secondary schools.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, brought together senior officials from NBA Africa and Ugandan stakeholders to examine how structured partnerships could strengthen the country’s basketball ecosystem and widen access for young athletes.
Also present were NBA Africa’s Regional Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager Nicholas Mutebi and political analyst Andrew Mwenda.
Gen Kainerugaba welcomed the engagement, saying “basketball has strong potential to contribute to youth development in Uganda and inspire young people through sport.”
According to a statement from his office, “discussions focused on NBA Africa’s broader continental strategy of working with African governments and private sector partners to build a sustainable basketball ecosystem across the continent.” Central to the talks was the proposed “establishment of an NBA Junior League in Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports.”
If implemented, the junior league would be integrated into Uganda’s secondary school system, creating structured competition for thousands of student-athletes. Proponents say it could provide a clearer pathway from school-level play to elite competition.
Muhoozi said the initiative would go beyond sport, helping to instil discipline, teamwork, leadership and resilience among young people.
Uganda has experienced steady growth in basketball over the past decade, driven largely by school competitions and private sponsorship. Two Ugandan clubs, City Oilers and Namuwongo Blazers — have represented the country in the Basketball Africa League (BAL), the NBA-backed continental competition launched in 2021.
The BAL, a partnership between the National Basketball Association and FIBA, has been central to efforts to commercialise and professionalise basketball across Africa, hosting tournaments in cities such as Dakar, Cairo and Kigali.
NBA Africa officials highlighted the wider economic benefits associated with developing competitive basketball structures. Major tournaments often stimulate demand in hospitality, transport, broadcasting, digital media and event management, sectors that governments increasingly view as part of a broader sports economy strategy.
Uganda has in recent years invested in sports infrastructure upgrades and positioned sport as a vehicle for youth employment and international branding.
Analysts say a formal junior league affiliated with NBA Africa could enhance Uganda’s regional profile while providing structured talent identification and development.
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Beyond competition, discussions reportedly explored organising coaching clinics, referee training programmes and integrating entertainment, culture and tourism into basketball events, an approach increasingly used in BAL-hosting countries to boost attendance and commercial returns.
NBA Africa’s expansion strategy has focused on partnerships with governments and private sector actors to establish sustainable grassroots pipelines, rather than relying solely on elite competitions.
Countries such as Senegal, Rwanda and Egypt have already incorporated structured youth programmes alongside professional leagues.
For Uganda, a junior league aligned with NBA Africa standards could formalise existing school competitions and create clearer progression routes for promising players.
Officials said strengthening institutional frameworks around basketball could unlock opportunities for young athletes while contributing to national economic growth.
