Refugee basketball academy RBA

Congratulations to every young person who kept training despite not having the rims and backboards.

For three weeks, it wasn’t easy, and it definitely affected our training. But your commitment showed us that no challenge can stop us from continuing to play, grow and build together.

Today, seeing the rims and backboards back on the court brings so much joy.

A special thank you to Maddy for believing in us and supporting this effort. Your contribution means a lot to RBA and to the young people we serve.

And thank you to our friends, families and everyone in the Makindye community who contributed and helped make this possible. Every contribution was part of bringing recreation, connection and joy back to our court.

This is more than basketball. It’s an investment in our young people and our community.

IMARA BASKETBALL CAMP — NAKIVALE 🌍
Two days. A massive gathering of young people. One mission: to build a different future — through sport.
At Nakivale Refugee Settlement, the Imara Basketball Camp brought together a large number of refugee and host-community youth around basketball

— but more importantly, around something much bigger: leadership, self-confidence, resilience, and hope.

Because “Sport Can Heal What Words Cannot.”
From Kampala to Nakivale, Imara (meaning “strong / resilient”) is not just a basketball camp. It’s a platform where every young person learns that they are not defined by their situation — that they still have something to build.

Beyond the court, Imara puts real emphasis on education and mental health, two pillars that are often overlooked in refugee settings but essential for real, lasting change. Because empowering young people isn’t only about physical skills

— it’s about giving them the tools to think critically, heal, and believe in a future beyond their current circumstances.
🏀 Basketball fundamentals
🎓 Education & personal development
🧠 Mental health & wellbeing
🤝 Teamwork
👑 Leadership
💪 Resilience
🌍 Coexistence between communities

This work directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Good Health & Wellbeing (SDG 3), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions (SDG 16) — proving that sport is not just a game, but a genuine tool for sustainable development. UN Youth Office

Huge thanks to every coach, volunteer, partner, and donor who makes Imara possible. Together, we keep growing this movement — community by community.

Imara Basketball Camp wouldn’t have been possible without the warm welcome we received in Nakivale.
Special thanks to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) – Nakivale for hosting us and supporting initiatives that uplift refugee youth

To the Nakivale Basketball staff — thank you for your hospitality, your energy, and for sharing your experience with our team. Partnerships like this are what make Imara possible





Because lasting change happens together. 🏀

IMARA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT — KAMPALA
📸 Leandra Graf

Closing the camp with energy, unity, and a love for the game.

A huge thank you to every young person and team who joined us to celebrate World Refugee Day — to have fun, connect, and come together through our shared love for basketball.

More than basketball — strength, resilience, ambition, and community.

If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving forward.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

We may not have basketball hoops yet, but we refuse to stop. Every challenge is another reason to work harder, stay united, and keep believing.

No circumstance will define our future. We keep showing up. We keep training. We keep building. We keep moving forward.

A special day at Refugee Basketball Academy. 🏀🙏

Today, we had the privilege of welcoming Maddy Erneston, founder of The Private Snipaz, together with Tut, Founder of Naath Foundation.

Maddy spent time with our young athletes, led a basketball training session, shared the Word of God, and encouraged them to believe in the power of sport, work hard every day, and never give up on their dreams. Her message reminded us that faith, discipline, and perseverance can shape not only better athletes but also stronger leaders.

Although our court is far from perfect, it remains a place where hope grows, character is built, and dreams come alive.

Thank you, Maddy and Tut, for taking the time to visit our community, share your knowledge, your faith, and your passion for the game. Your presence and encouragement brought joy and motivation to our players.