In a significant move, Kepler men’s basketball team has acquired the services of seasoned Ugandan tactician Mandy Lutwama Juruni as club's new head coach on a two-year contract. Crossing over from Ugandan giants City Oilers, Juruni boasts huge experience in elite basketball, having previously handled the Uganda national team. Fresh from Division 2, newcomers Kepler are putting in much efforts in strengthening their team which is preparing for their debut season in the topflight basketball and the arrival of Juruni is one big first step to the club’s ambitious basketball project. ALSO READ: Inside Kepler’s huge basketball ambitions Juruni, 41, has been at the helm of City Oilers since 2012, helping them to multiple domestic league trophies and two qualifications to the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Besides, during his time as the coach of Uganda, he led the country to two consecutive qualifications for the AfroBasket, Africa’s most prestigious nations basketball championship. ALSO READ: A look at the two new teams in Rwanda Basketball League Coaching Career Juruni's coaching journey began with City Oilers in the Ugandan second division, initially serving as a player-coach before transitioning solely into coaching duties. In 2012, he took the reins at Kyambogo Warriors, steering them to the top-flight UNBL championship. Under Juruni's guidance, City Oilers clinched eight Uganda National Basketball League (UNBL) championships and secured a coveted BAL qualification. Their participation in the 2023 BAL season's Nile Conference saw them finish in sixth place after a 1–4 record.
