Refugee Basketball Academy
Basketball for refugee & marginalized youth

Building leaders, not just players.

Refugee Basketball Academy empowers refugee and marginalized youth through sports, mentorship and education — on the court and beyond.

Discover our programmes Our story
Who we are

Basketball as a bridge to opportunity

Refugee Basketball Academy (RBA) is an initiative that empowers refugee and marginalized youth through sports, mentorship and education.

Based in Kampala, Uganda, RBA turns the basketball court into a place where young people who fled insecurity can rebuild confidence, find community and start planning their future.

More about RBA

Peace

One court, many backgrounds: basketball brings young people together.

Resilience

Turning displacement into determination, on and off the court.

Inclusion

A place where refugee and marginalized youth belong and are seen.

Leadership

Every player is encouraged to lead — in the game and in life.

100+
Players trained
7
Scholarships received
5
Programmes
What we do

Five ways we help young people grow

From the first training session to leadership and scholarships — every programme is designed to open doors.

01

Basketball Development Program

Regular practices that build skills, fitness and team spirit.

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02

Imara Basketball Camp

Camp days that bring coaching, play and community together.

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03

HerPower Initiative

Creating space for girls and young women to play, lead and grow.

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04

Mentorship & Leadership Development

Guidance beyond the court: school, life choices and leadership.

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05

Community Tournaments & Events

Tournaments that bring players and communities together.

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Every player has a story.

Discover all our programmes and find how to join, support or partner with us.

All programmes
Our story

We do not just build basketball players, we are building leaders.

How it started

RBA began on a basketball court in Kampala. Its founder, Stephane Kulimushi Mutanda, arrived in Uganda as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo and saw how easily young refugees can lose direction while they wait for opportunities.

Together with his teammate Jonathan, he decided to use their shared passion for the game to change young lives. What began as a small idea grew into a programme of regular practices, tournaments and mentoring sessions — and has now trained more than 100 players.

The academy also records videos of its players to help connect them with schools and other opportunities. So far, seven young people have received scholarships through the programme.

Today, RBA hopes to bring the same opportunities to other refugee communities and camps across Uganda.

Leadership

Stephane Kulimushi Mutanda

Founder · Coach · SDG Young Leader

Stephane is a young social entrepreneur, basketball player and coach from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now based in Uganda.

He sees basketball as a bridge for peace, resilience and social inclusion, and works to help young refugees discover their potential and build a better future. He is committed to contributing to the 2030 Agenda through empowerment, sports and education.

Meet the team
Our impact model

From the court to opportunity

A simple path that turns talent and motivation into real futures.

Train

Regular practices build skills, fitness and confidence.

Compete

Tournaments give players a stage and a team to belong to.

Mentor

Mentoring sessions support school, life choices and leadership.

Open doors

Player videos help connect talent with schools and scholarships.

Mark your calendar

Upcoming events

All events

No event scheduled right now

New tournaments and camps are announced regularly. Follow us on social media or subscribe below to be the first to know.

Stories

News from the academy

All stories
Press 1 min read

RBA's founder featured by the United Nations

Ahead of World Refugee Day, UN News shared the story of Stephane Kulimushi and the academy he founded in Uganda.

Read the story
Voices 1 min read

Being a refugee is not a barrier

In his own words for the United Nations, Stephane explains why basketball can give young refugees direction while they wait for opportunities.

Read the story
Vision 1 min read

Our vision: more courts, more communities

RBA wants to bring training, mentorship and support to more refugee communities and camps across Uganda.

Read the story
In their words

Voices from the court

When we are on the basketball court, we feel at peace.
S Stephane Kulimushi MutandaFounder, Refugee Basketball Academy
Partners & supporters

Together, we go further

Cosmo Foundation
UN News UN Youth Affairs
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