From a club founded by hallmates at Makerere university in 2000 to take part in inter-hall competitions to a side that is now set for its first ever campaign in the national basketball league, Livingstone basketball club is one that has stood the test of time as the team gears up for the top flight.
Following a failed promotion campaign in 2022, the Eric Matovu coached side won the best-of-five division one playoff finals last season in a decider against JT Jaguars to seal their fate.
Based at the Makerere pool court, Livingstone basketball club harbors dreams of becoming a mainstay in the national basketball league and also representing Uganda at the continental level.
The ambitions of the side are embedded in the club’s drive for excellence following over a decade in division two followed by two campaigns in division one before their eventual promotion to the top flight last season.
The club, managed by former players and now directors Pai Kamoga, Martin Asingwire and Abel Emwodu, their experience on court and professional careers is a blend Kamoga believes is key to the club’s growth, “I was the coach of the franchise but I thought that if we were to prosper then we had to make changes. We formed technical team of four people to oversee the club and also added a manager who runs the team.”
“After the changes, experienced coach Eric Matovu came in and we added some new players. That’s how everything turned around. However, it’s around the time when Covid-19 happened and we did not play for some time. In the following year, we played and won the championship in 2021,” Kamoga notes.
Head coach Eric Matovu who has been with the club for three years believes winning the division one championship remains the club’s biggest milestone, “I have been with the club for three years and we won the division two championship in my first season at the club. In my second season, we qualified for the division one playoff semifinals but fell short against RezLife Saints.”
“We were underdogs last season with teams like JT Jaguars and Nkumba Marines performing well and we finished third in regular season. We however overcame Tropical Royals 2-0 in the quarterfinals and Nkumba 2-1 in the semifinals. The boys though came up big when it mattered the most- the playoffs,” Matovu revealed.
Guard Joshua Namutegere who joined the side in 2019 has seen the side climb from division two and reflects on the journey, “I joined Livingstone in 2019 while the club was playing in division two. I learnt a lot since the team did not perform well. My biggest highlight is winning last year’s championship and I attribute it to hard work, consistency and not giving up.”
New signing Kual Michael Deng who joins the Stone city side after a year at Kampala university looks ahead to his first season in the national basketball league, “There’s a lot that I can learn at this team. My teammates are friendly and they have been supportive. This is my first time in the league and I’m going to play hard to make sure I gain experience.”
Livingstone opens their campaign against JT Jaguars on Friday 26th January at the Lugogo indoor arena in a replay of last season’s division one playoff finals.
