A participant of the Refugee Basketball Academy practices at a basketball court in Kampala, Uganda. Credit: Fahad Ssimbwa
Being a refugee is not a barrier - the resilience of a young sports leader in Uganda
When 19-year-old Stephane Kulimushi, a Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), looks around the basketball court in Kampala, Uganda, where he trains young refugees, he sees more than players.
He sees young people who, like him, arrived in Uganda after fleeing insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Many are trying to continue school, find opportunities and build a future in a place where daily life can be difficult.
Stephane knows how easy it can be for young refugees to lose direction. For some, he said, resettlement abroad can feel like the only hope. But that process can take years, sometimes decades. In the meantime, many young people are left waiting, with limited access to education, activities or work.
That realization led Stephane and his teammates to drive change - in 2024, he founded the , an initiative that empowers refugee and marginalized youth through sports, mentorship and education.
Here’s his peace.
Stephane Kulimushi (in black shirt) founded the Refugee Basketball Academy. Credit: Fahad Ssimbwa
Sport has the power to change the world
Nelson Mandela once said that sport has the power to change the world. When we are on the basketball court, we feel at peace. This is where we play, train, celebrate and show how basketball is making a difference in the lives of young refugees.
I'm from the DRC. When I arrived in Uganda as a refugee, I found many challenges. Resettlement is a solution that is given by the for refugees, but it's a long process. It used to take 10 to 30 years. I see how easy it is for young refugees to lose control.
When they lack activities, when they lack what to do, they're just staying at home and chilling. They start using bad things, like drugs, that affect their future. That's the problem that the basketball academy is trying to solve.
We are building leaders
We started this programme in an area where most refugees are staying. My teammate, Jonathan, and I wanted to use our passion for the sport to change the life of young refugees by creating a basketball academy. So far, we have been training more than 100 players. We have been connecting some of them to opportunities and building our network to make a long-term impact in people’s lives.
We don't just train basketball players, we are building leaders. We are building people and players who are motivated to change their lives and can one day become great players. I believe that being a refugee is not a barrier.
Carrying our talents with us
I wake up very early in the morning to come and train at the courts because I have a dream to become a professional player. After my training, I go back home and then to the university where I study management and entrepreneurship. After classes, I come back to the courts to train others as part of the academy.
Since 2017, I’ve been struggling. When I was 11 years old I lost my father. I try not to complain about the challenges that I face; I use my challenges to fuel change.
I became a Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals so that I can use my voice to advocate for refugee youth. I want them to believe in themselves, to do something meaningful with their lives and understand that everything is possible.
Age, your status, your nationality, where you come from and other barriers are not the limit. We have the right to feel included like everyone else. When we leave our countries due to insecurity, we leave many things behind but we will always carry our talents with us.
I want to expand the basketball academy to reach more refugee camps around Uganda so many other young refugees can have the same chance. I want to make a sustainable and long-term impact, and make this programme as inclusive as possible.
Refugee Basketball Academy's players. Credit: Refugee Basketball Academy
Stephane Kulimushi's interview was first featured in a UN Video documentary,
This story is part of My 色库TV, an editorial series from the UN's Hear Us. Act Now for a 色库TVful World campaign that amplifies the voices of those working for peace in their communities.