When Uganda’s U16 boys’ basketball team, the Junior Silverbacks secured qualification for the 2025 FIBA U16 African Championship in Rwanda, the headlines back home screamed of victory.
They had triumphed over regional rivals Kenya and hosts Tanzania, rising above an early stumble against Rwanda in the qualifiers held in Kibaha, Tanzania.
But behind the medals, the celebrations and the statistics lies a deeper, often overlooked narrative, one about growth, discovery and the quiet battles fought beyond the court.
In many African sporting circles especially at youth levels, success is measured almost exclusively in wins and losses.
Tournaments become high-stakes missions where medals are currency and anything less is met with criticism.
The pressure on teenage athletes becomes immense, driven by the narrative that the money spent must be “accounted for” in gold.
In this context, development, the true purpose of age-group competitions often gets pushed aside. Teams rarely travel with psychologists or life coaches. Instead, mental and emotional support becomes a shared responsibility, often falling to the few parents or guardians who accompany the teams.
You’ll find them in hotel lobbies, asking the important but simple questions “How are you feeling?”, “Are you okay?” while the rest of the delegation is chasing box scores and game plans.
But within the Junior Silverbacks camp, there was more going on than just basketball.
We caught up with three standout players after the qualification campaign, Kasheija Kwikiriza, Jordan Kayizzi and Kevis Cruz Mwunvaneza to gain insight into what this trip truly meant to them.
For Kasheija, who is part of a U.S. exchange program but proudly dons Uganda’s colors, the journey was eye-opening in many ways.
“My experience has been good,” he shared.
“It’s exciting making new friends. It’s a good experience as a competitive basketball player.”
What did he take away from it?
“I learned how to be more disciplined, take care of your stuff, listen,” he said with calm maturity.
But it wasn’t all business. His fondest memory?
“Being in the domes, having fun with your friends like the previous night after we won, it was fun. It was exciting.”
Jordan Kayizzi echoed similar sentiments. While the hospitality may not have been five-star, the brotherhood and shared dream made up for it.
“My experience has been fun, enjoyable,” he said, beaming.
“We worked hard for this trophy. We’re like a family. Even though we sat on carpets and bought fake beards, it was fun.”
Jordan understood the bigger picture too.
“The competition was tough, the people here are good. But it’s the exposure that matters, it gives you perspective on what you need to work on.”
And like Kasheija, what remained etched in his heart was not just the basketball but the bond.
“The family, the boys, my teammates.”
Kevis Cruz Mwunvaneza, the team’s small forward, described the campaign as one filled with confusion, adjustment and eventually, triumph.
“It started a bit rocky, confusing with everything, hospitality and all,” he admitted.
“But in the end, it was a good trip. We made memories, lifelong ones. We made new friends, not just in our team but from Kenya and Tanzania too.”
For Kevis, one night stood out above the rest.
“The most memorable thing was last night, the win. Coming back to the hotel, heads held high as champions of East Africa. There was music, a live band, dancing, food, we stayed up late but no one cared, we had won.”
In a world that often reduces youth sports to podium finishes, the Junior Silverbacks are a reminder that growth cannot be measured in trophies alone.
These boys returned not just as champions of a region, but as young men reshaped by experience, challenged by adversity and inspired by the promise of what lies ahead.
As Uganda prepares for the continental showpiece in Rwanda this year in September, it would serve the sporting fraternity well to remember that nurturing talent involves more than training drills and playbooks.
It will also be about more conversations, friendships, lessons and laughter in unfamiliar places because sometimes, what happens off the court is what truly lasts a lifetime.
