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By Our Reporter
Eddie Oumo has declared his intention to contest for the presidency of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA), setting out an agenda aimed at improving the sport’s development structures, nurturing young talent and opening doors for Ugandan players to access international opportunities. His proposed leadership priorities focus on strengthening grassroots basketball, improving coaching standards, expanding infrastructure and building partnerships that can help the country compete more effectively on the global stage.
Oumo’s involvement in basketball stretches back to 1998, when he began his journey with Skyjammers. His experience later included links with Blue Jackets and Power, as well as participation in secondary school national competitions in playing and coaching capacities. He has also been involved in women’s basketball and other activities within the sport, including the 2005 A1 Championship. These experiences have exposed him to different aspects of basketball and informed his understanding of the needs of players, coaches and clubs.
His ambitions for the sport extend beyond the results recorded on the basketball court. Through the founding of Hoops of Hope, Oumo has promoted the idea that basketball can serve as a tool for personal development and community transformation.
He believes young people can use sport to develop discipline, teamwork, confidence and leadership while gaining access to educational and professional opportunities. For him, building basketball also means investing in the people whose talent and commitment will determine its future.
Improving access to basketball facilities is among the priorities Oumo wants to pursue if elected. He envisions a system in which more communities can participate in organised basketball without being limited by a lack of courts, training facilities or development programmes. He believes expanding the sport beyond established centres would create opportunities to discover talent in different regions and give more young people a chance to develop their abilities through structured training and competition.
Oumo also wants to strengthen the technical foundation of Ugandan basketball by improving coaching and player development. His vision emphasises the importance of teaching young players the fundamentals, including ball handling, tactical awareness, decision-making and discipline. He proposes developing a national basketball philosophy to guide schools, clubs, academies and other training programmes, with the aim of establishing consistent standards and making it easier for players to progress through different levels of the game.
Creating international opportunities for Ugandan players is another key element of his proposed programme. Oumo wants to establish stronger relationships with universities, professional clubs, academies and international basketball networks to connect local talent with wider opportunities. Through these partnerships, he hopes players will be better positioned to access scholarships, advanced training, international competitions and professional careers. His vision is to make Ugandan basketball more connected to the wider sporting world while ensuring that promising players have clearer pathways for development.
Oumo has also highlighted collaboration, accountability and investment as important requirements for sustainable growth. He believes basketball administrators, clubs, coaches, players and other stakeholders must work together to address the challenges affecting the sport. In his view, success should be measured not only through championship victories but also by the strength of grassroots programmes, the quality of coaching, improvements in facilities and the opportunities available to players. He is calling for a long-term approach that prioritises lasting development over short-term achievements.
As the FUBA presidential race develops, Oumo is seeking to translate his years of involvement in playing, coaching and community initiatives into a leadership programme for the federation. His campaign slogan, “Build the Game. Develop the Player. Open the World,” summarises his proposed direction for Ugandan basketball. By placing infrastructure, player development and international exposure at the centre of his agenda, he hopes to contribute to a system that identifies talent early, prepares players for higher competition and expands the reach of basketball throughout Uganda.
