Henry Mwinuka has left basketball league champions Rwanda Energy Group (REG) before the season kicks off to return to his former club Patriots BBC on a two-year deal, Times Sport has established. The development comes a month after the club's management announced that it was finalizing talks with the Tanzania-born tactician. In September last year, Mwinuka guided REG to the league trophy, a feat that earned them automatic qualification to the Basketball Africa League (BAL). In an interview with Times Sport, just days after the triumph, the tactician vowed that he would throw in the towel if the team is not kept in his hands at the BAL. To the surprise of many, he renewed his contract with the local giants on a two-year deal. When Times Sport contacted him to understand whether he was given guarantees that he will be the team's head coach at the BAL, he said, Regarding the BAL, it's the management's business to handle, because now we are in the off-season. However, my position is clear: If I am not maintained as the head coach at the BAL, I will resign.” Mwinuka is said to have disagreed with the club management on the clause and decided to consider his future elsewhere with Patriots his ideal destination ahead of the new season. A reliable source from Patriots confirmed that an agreement has been signed, adding that Mwinuka, who was on festive holidays, had already jetted in the country. “The club has reached an agreement with Mwinuka to coach the club for the forthcoming two seasons,” the source told Times Sport. “We believe that he has a pedigree to take us to the next level and nurture our young talented players,” he added. The new season of the national basketball league for men’s first and second division as well as women’s first division will begin on January 13. Mwinuka returns to the club with whom they won three league titles during his first spell between 2015 and 2019. Prior to joining Patriots in December 2015, Mwinuka had previously coached the University of Dar es Salaam Basketball Club from 2003-2006 and Savio Basketball Club in 2007-2008 before moving to the Kampala International University (KIU) team from 2011 to 2015.
