Lutwama joined KIU as a player and student; today, he is the basketball coach  

By Julius Lutwama

Kampala International University has, over the years, encouraged and created an environment that allows diversity beyond academia.

For instance, the university’s basketball team has excelled at different levels. This is not by mistake, but has been well-planned to enable students to excel beyond academics.  

First of all, I would like to appreciate KIU’s tremendous contribution to education, sports, and all other spheres of life over the last 25 years.

I really can’t find enough words to describe how this institution has changed my life at a personal level and the rest of society.

It is a journey that has shaped society and continues to get better at every level by identifying and nurturing talent.

As a student, I benefited from KIU’s sports scholarship scheme, which has tremendously impacted my life both as a sportsman and as a person.

As a sportsman, KIU has made me a brand, given me exposure, and improved my professionalism. As a person, KIU has made me a total quality professional.

I joined KIU in 2013 to pursue a Master of Business Administration.

I majored in Management, under the sports scholarship programme as a basketball player, which had been offered to me through the university’s sports scouts.

The scouts had spotted me as a top basketball player and ensured I enrolled on a 100% scholarship while also joining the famous KIU Titans.

It was a wonderful time as a KIU Titans player, and I always gave my best, just like the other members of the team at the time.

We always strived for excellence, though we still fell short of winning the National Basketball League. My best moment was reaching the finals in 2017, although we lost to City Oilers.

When I completed my academic journey at KIU, I graduating with a Master of Business Administration, majoring in Management, the university offered me an opportunity to advance my sporting career—this time as a coach of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

This was an exciting opportunity that I welcomed with open hands.

We have maintained our competitive spirit in both the men’s and women’s teams, reaching multiple finals in the last three years, though we are still striving for our first National Basketball League championship.

In particular, the Titans reached the finals in 2023 and 2024, while KIU Rangers made it to their first-ever final in 2023.

This makes me proud as a coach, even though we fell short. Due to our commitment to excellence and professionalism, both KIU Titans and KIU Rangers are now considered basketball powerhouses in Uganda, and we shall continue to display the best basketball in this country.

Coaching a franchise of KIU’s stature has elevated my profile and exposure, leading to my appointment as assistant coach to Uganda’s senior women’s team, the Gazelles.

I sincerely appreciate KIU for grooming me and providing a platform to exercise and advance my basketball skills.

On a special note, I want to thank KIU for promoting sports and giving opportunities to the vulnerable and economically disadvantaged but highly talented Ugandans.

Congratulations to KIU as an institution and to all stakeholders on reaching 25 years in the academic and sports arena. May you continue to prosper and impact the world through education and sports.