Our mission
To empower refugee and marginalized youth through sports, mentorship and education — helping every young person discover their potential, build confidence and create a better future for themselves and their community.
About RBA
Basketball as a bridge to opportunity
Basketball for refugee and marginalized youth
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.
Our vision
A world where basketball is a bridge for peace, resilience and social inclusion — and where being a refugee is never seen as the end of someone's dreams.
100+
Players trained
3
Scholarships received
5
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.
What we stand for
Our values
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.
Leadership
Meet the team
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.
Our impact model
From the court to opportunity
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.
Stay close to the game
Follow the journey of our players.
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