The day 2nd December 2022, tears and agony, were on display after Rezlife Saints eliminated number one seed Livingstone in the semifinals to condemn them to another year in the FUBA Division 1.

Fast forward to 1st December 2023, a day shy of the one year since their semifinal exit, Joy, delight, contentment and ecstasy after filled Livingstone players after defeating JT Jaguars in game 5 to win the 2023 FUBA Division 1. This was the second part of the assignment having completed their main objective, to qualify to the National Basketball League.

The difference one year can make.

Livingstone has been in Division basketball for 16 years and it had been a long time coming for them to join the company of the big boys, in the NBL.

Livingstone was established in 2000 at Makerere University by the then Livingstone Hall Residents and has since become one of the most recognizable names in Uganda Basketball.

The team has been able to field a competitive side in the league for over 20 years. Given it’s strategic location, Makerere University Pool court, they have managed to not only recruit the best young talent but also continue to grow a loyal fan base.

Having been “mediocre” for a while, the side started to make changes and soon, tides started to change in their favor.

When did the tides start to turn?

In an interview with the Chairperson of the Club Pai Kamoga, he talks about the journey of the club.

We have struggled a lot, until the last four years when we made a couple of changes and became more ambitious until this level where we had to win the Championship.

Livingstone started implementing these changes in 2020 while still in Division 2. They acquired services of the experienced Coach Eric but that year, the COVID 19 pandemic hit and the league was jot played. In 2021 however, they managed to win the title, earning them qualification to Division 1.

The Stone City came with so much hype and buzz, captivating fans with their incredible displays on the court. They managed to clinch top seed after the regular season and where in pole position for qualifying to the 2023 NBL.

Things did not go according to plan after the Saints, made that historic comeback to defeat them in the semifinals.

They boys however did not lose heart and cane back with the same objective, to qualify.

Looks like the stars had aligned for them this year, because despite not being the favorites, they somehow managed to defeat second seed Nkumba Marines in the semifinals and the number one seed, JT Jaguars in the Finals to win the overall prize.

Structures and Intentionality

Livingstone understood that, in order to be successful, certain changes had to be made.

Structures are very key and it has been a trend for new teams to easily perform highly, because most of the Structures are still in place and the club is organized.

Namuwongo Blazers, Legends, UPDF Ladyhawks, JKL clubs, Rezlife Saints, JT Jaguars are all testament to this. In their first years, they all performed exceptionally well, owing to the fact that organization and structure in the club were fully operational.

If you want success in life, you have to put up structures to help you elevate from one level to another. I made changes to the technical team, i brought in a very experienced coach plus two assistants. With the structures there, the managers in every department, players locked in, they used to put in work every day to help us achieve the goal

They also got a few partners on board to help them in their financial situation which is a very big problem in Uganda Basketball. All In Trade, Penters Arena, The Insurance Guy and Ga’Njovu Juice all chipped in to help in multiple ways.

Perhaps the biggest move they have made in their history, Stone City acquired experienced Bismarck Okot, who took MVP in 2021 Division 2 and 2023 Division 1. They also added a few pieces on board, guards Namutegere Joshua, Oscar Byomuhangi and others who have been very integral in their ascent to the National Basketball League.

Now that they have finally crossed to the promised land, how they manage to level up and stay in the top Division will be very key.

Pai Kamoga added that their main objective next year is to stay in the Top Division. In order to achieve this, they are looking to make a few recruitments that will help drive their team forward in line with their objectives.