Ugandan basketball has taken another leap onto the international stage, and this time it is through one of its most decorated stars. Power forward Hope Akello has embarked on a new journey after sealing a move to Majd Tanja Basketball Club in Morocco, a move that signals both personal evolution and the growing footprint of Ugandan talent abroad.
Her unveiling on Friday, November 14th, was more than just a contract announcement; it was the beginning of Akello’s first professional adventure outside the borders of Uganda. Majd Tanja welcomed her with a glowing message that spoke to both expectation and belief: “From Uganda to Morocco, Hope Akello is joining our team. With her energy, focus and drive, there is no limit to what we can achieve together.”
But Akello’s departure also closes an era. At JKL Lady Dolphins, where she spent eight transformative years, she became synonymous with dominance and leadership. From the time she walked into the club in 2017, she reshaped what excellence looked like in the National Basketball League collecting MVP titles, anchoring championship runs, and redefining the power forward role with unmatched consistency.
Her journey traces back to Tororo, where the seeds of her competitive spirit were planted. At Trinity College Nabbingo, and later St. Mary’s SS, Akello became a force in schools’ competitions, foreshadowing the star she would become. She later debuted in the top flight with the Gladiators, but it was JKL that unlocked her full potential.
Season after season, she grew into the league’s most complete player. In 2024, she averaged a near-perfect double-double—11.9 points and 11.1 rebounds along with impressive assist and steal numbers. By 2025, she was in a league of her own, leading nearly every category that mattered and sweeping the Playoffs MVP honours.
Her leadership expanded beyond club basketball. As co-captain of the Uganda Gazelles, Akello became an anchor of the national team, offering not just scoring and defense, but presence, maturity, and inspiration.
Now, she joins a growing list of Ugandan players exporting their craft, following the path previously opened by Rose Akon, who moved to Morocco after her standout season with UCU Lady Canons in 2022.
For Akello, this move is more than a contract it’s a gateway to new competition, a bigger stage, and an opportunity to elevate Ugandan basketball even further.
And for Uganda, it’s another reminder that its stars are no longer waiting for opportunities; they’re creating them.
