Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Stephane Kulimushi, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, founded the Refugee Basketball Academy (RBA) in Uganda in 2020 to empower refugee and marginalized youth through sports, mentorship, and education. Using entrepreneurship training from the Cosmo Foundation, he developed the program, which has trained over 100 players so far.
The academy organizes basketball practices, tournaments, and mentoring sessions, and creates videos of players to help connect them with schools and opportunities. According to Stephane, seven young people have received scholarships through the program. He stated that the goal is not only to develop strong athletes but also to build leaders among the youth.
Stephane balances attending university, where he studies management and entrepreneurship, with coaching and mentoring younger players. He says the basketball court provides structure, confidence, and a peaceful environment for many refugee children who have experienced war and displacement.
The academy aims to expand its activities to other refugee communities and camps in Uganda, enabling more young people to access training, mentorship, and educational support. Stephane also encourages refugee youth to view themselves as individuals with talents and futures worth investing in, rather than as people simply awaiting external help.