Nebbi’s basketball struggle: A sport without a home

What the report says

Basketball in Nebbi Municipality, in Uganda’s West Nile region, is struggling to develop because players say the sport lacks a proper court, school-level programmes, regular competitions and sustained local government backing. The Nile Post report says the game has not built a grassroots base in the municipality, leaving young players with few places to train or compete and sometimes forcing them to travel to Arua or Gulu for opportunities.

People involved in the sport say the problem is not only about facilities but also about organisation and support. Herbert Javuru, a player and coach with the Nebbi Basketball Association, said efforts to revive the game have repeatedly stalled, including an earlier court at Nebbi Municipal Council that became unusable and a later proposal for a new court that did not go ahead after land was not provided. Kennedy Anena, the district sports officer, said the weak link between communities, schools and the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations has limited participation.

The article says Nebbi has never hosted a FUBA-recognised district basketball competition, while football remains the most established school and community sport. It also notes that West Nile has produced notable basketball talent, including Jane Asinde, as an example of what stronger local pathways could achieve. FUBA, according to the report, has acknowledged wider grassroots and infrastructure challenges across Uganda outside major urban centres. Local officials and players say even modest investment in a court, coaching and school competitions could help the sport grow and give young talent a clearer route forward.