Mandy Lutwama Juruni (born 11 November 1982)[1] is a Ugandan professional basketball coach and former player. He is current head coach of Kepler of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL). Juruni is most known for his 10-year tenure with the City Oilers in Uganda, and is widely regarded the most decorated basketball coach in Ugandan basketball history.[2]
Juruni has also been the head coach of Uganda’s national basketball team (nicknamed the Silverbacks), which he led to two straight qualifications to the AfroBasket, the official African Basketball Championship.[3]
Playing career
During his playing career, Juruni played as point guard and played for the Charging Rhinos from 2003 to 2007.[4][5]
Coaching career
Juruni began coaching the City Oilers, who played in the national second division.[6] He started as a player-coach at the time, before later taking on coaching duties. In 2012, he was also hired by the Kyambogo Warriors, whom he guided to the top-flight UNBL championship.[2]
Juruni guided the Oilers to eight UNBL championships and one BAL qualification. The Oilers played in the 2023 BAL season's Nile Conference and finished in the sixth place after a 1–4 record. They won their first-ever BAL game against Ferroviário da Beira on 3 May.
In December 2023, Juruni signed a 2-year contract as the head coach of Kepler of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL), which meant the end to his 10-year tenure with the City Oilers.[7] He guided Kepler to a surprising fourth place and a playoff spot; they were eliminated in the semifinals by Patriots.[8]
In October 2024, Juruni coached the South Sudanese team Fox in the 2025 BAL qualification, and helped them to a 3–2 record in the first round.[9]
