Why Okwera is walking away from Rezlife Saints

Leaving a team he loves was never going to be easy for Moses Okwera, but the Watoto coach believes his calling in basketball lies in developing young talent.

Fresh from guiding Watoto Basketball Club to the 2026 FUBA Division One Championship and promotion to the National Basketball League (NBL), Okwera has confirmed he will leave Rezlife Saints to concentrate on the Watoto project.

For him, the decision goes beyond winning trophies. It is about staying close to the work he enjoys most, coaching and nurturing young players.

“I’ve won the championship with Watoto and, to be honest, I’m a development coach. I like coaching the youth,” Okwera told 2bobSports.

“So, next season I’ll be sticking with the Watoto boys. It’s very sad for me to leave Rezlife right now. I’m feeling so bad.”

Moses Okwera

The coach admitted that walking away from Rezlife was painful, but felt it was a decision he had to make as he prepares to take Watoto into the top flight.

“But it’s a decision that I have to make. So, I’ll stay with Watoto. But thankfully, Coach Mike is there,” he added.

Okwera also made sure to recognise the people who welcomed and supported him during his two-season spell at Rez Life, thanking the club’s management, Pastor Amy and the players.

“I want to thank the management of Rez Life. Pastor Amy and all the players. I wish them all the best.

“I love them and I’ll keep praying for them.”

Okwera joined Rez Life in 2025 after the club secured promotion to the NBL. His departure, confirmed in November 2026, ends his two-year association with the Saints.

Michael Seger, popularly known as Coach Mike, is among the familiar faces in the Rez Life coaching setup. The American worked alongside Okwera during the club’s 2026 campaign before joining a Burundi side’s technical team in October as an assistant to Elvis Hakizimana for the Road to BAL 2027.

Michael Seger Credit: John Philip Mugabi

Okwera leaves Rezlife with his attention firmly on the challenge ahead at Watoto.

Watoto finished second in the Division One regular season but had to dig deep to earn their place in the final. They fell 2-0 behind Berkley in the semi-finals before fighting back to win the series 3-2.

They carried that determination into the final against KIU Titans, eventually winning the series 4-2 after Game Six to lift the championship.

Reaching the final had already secured Watoto promotion to the NBL, but winning the title gave the club an even bigger reward for its seven-year journey through the lower divisions.

For Okwera, the next task is to prepare the team for a new level of competition while continuing the youth development work that has shaped his coaching career.

His commitment to nurturing young talent also extends beyond club basketball. He has worked with the Inner City Action and Youth Development Agency (iCaare), leading a team of coaches at a free basketball training camp aimed at giving youngsters who cannot afford expensive academies access to quality training.

He has also served as a national youth team coach and works as a basketball coach at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU).

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