Kepler Basketball Club’s ambitious project has suffered a major setback after the club parted ways with head coach Mandy Juruni.
The Ugandan tactician leaves at a time when the future of the club itself is under question, with reports from Rwanda suggesting Kepler could withdraw from top-flight basketball altogether.
Juruni joined Kepler from Ugandan giants City Oilers, where he built one of the most successful teams in the region. During his time with the Oilers, he won multiple league titles and guided the club to the Basketball Africa League (BAL). He also enjoyed success with Uganda’s national team, leading the Silverbacks to two AfroBasket qualifications.
Kepler confirmed that the decision to end the partnership was reached by mutual agreement. Rwanda basketball legend Aristide Mugabe has been appointed interim head coach until the end of the season.
Juruni’s departure comes amid growing uncertainty at the club. Reports indicate that Kepler is considering stepping away from Division One basketball and shifting its focus to volleyball. The institution is also exploring opportunities in cycling.
The men’s basketball team could be sold as part of the proposed restructuring. However, the women’s side, which has enjoyed greater success in recent years, is expected to remain largely unaffected.
For now, Decorated point guard Aristide Mugabe who recently retired will guide the team through the remainder of the campaign, but questions remain over what the future holds for a club that only recently appeared determined to establish itself among Rwanda’s basketball elite.
