Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba on Wednesday met NBA Africa CEO Ms. Claire Akamanzi in Kampala to discuss plans to professionalize basketball in Uganda, with both sides backing the launch of an NBA Junior League for secondary schools.
The meeting, attended by officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, centred on establishing a structured, professional environment for thousands of students through a nationwide junior competition. The proposed league is expected to formalize school basketball and create a clearer pathway from grassroots to elite level.
Gen. Kainerugaba, who also serves as Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Adviser for Special Operations, welcomed the initiative and said basketball can play a wider role in youth development.
Akamanzi outlined NBA Africa’s broader strategy of working with African governments to grow sustainable sports ecosystems. She noted that a professional basketball structure can stimulate multiple sectors of the economy, including hospitality and tourism, infrastructure development and the creative industries.
If implemented, the Junior League initiative is expected to strengthen Uganda’s talent pipeline while positioning the country as an emerging force in African basketball.
