Tonny Dribula, the latest recipient of the esteemed Basketball Africa League Unbuntu Award, joins the ranks of past winners Hichen Benayad Cherif and Jean Jacques Nsobozwabyosenumkiza. This prestigious trophy celebrates individuals who use basketball as a platform for impactful social change.
Last Updated on
April 22, 2024
Fanya Nkengasong
Staff Writer
In the footsteps of Hichen Benayad Cherif (Algerian Groupement des Pétroliers, GSP) in 2021 and Jean Jacques Nsobozwabyosenumkiza (Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club) in 2022, Tony Dribela has emerged as the latest recipient of the BAL's prestigious Ubuntu Award.
This award recognises his exceptional social contributions through basketball. Throughout the year, Dribela orchestrated various initiatives for girls and boys in Kampala, Uganda, demonstrating his commitment to community development.
“I come like all these children from difficult neighbourhoods and by organising all these activities, I am only giving back what basketball has given me."
Dribela, formally a playcaller for the Angels Basketball Club, a professional team competing in Uganda's national championship, actively engages in various projects and clinics nationwide.
"It became so immense that I had to give up coaching to devote myself entirely to these activities."
Dribela has been a key player for the Uganda national team, participating in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers and AfroBasket in 2021. Additionally, he showcased his skills in the Road to BAL qualification tournament against the Cape Town Tigers, Ferroviarrio de Beria, and Petro de Luanda. Despite all of his on-court accomplishments, winning the Ubuntu award deeply touched him.
"I didn't do all of these things to earn this award, but primarily to assist those who come from where I came from."
