Hope Akello’s remarkable rise through Ugandan basketball has reached its biggest milestone yet.
The Uganda Gazelles forward has signed her first professional contract with Majd Tanja Basketball Club in Morocco, marking a new chapter in her already impressive career.
The Moroccan side confirmed the signing on Friday, expressing excitement about adding one of Uganda’s brightest talents to their roster.
“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,” the club posted, highlighting the enthusiasm around their latest acquisition.
For Akello, the move is the fulfillment of years of consistent excellence. Since joining JKL Lady Dolphins in 2017, she became the heartbeat of the team, an MVP winner, a leader, and one of the driving forces behind JKL’s dominance in the Women’s National Basketball League.
Her journey, however, began far from the bright lights of professional basketball.
Born in Tororo to Moses Angura and Ruth Mirembe, Akello first picked up the sport in 2012 while at Trinity College Nabbingo.
A subsequent move to St. Mary’s Secondary School helped unlock her potential, as she played a key role in lifting the school to prominence in national and regional competitions.
A stint with the Gladiators gave her early top-flight experience, but it was at JKL where she truly flourished.
In her debut season, she helped the team to a third-place finish before lifting the league title the following year.
Her consistent performances, strength in the paint, and reliability on both ends of the court soon earned her a place as a pillar of the national team, the Uganda Gazelles.
Now 27, Akello heads to Morocco ready for a fresh challenge and an even bigger stage.
For a player who has climbed step by step, her move to Majd Tanja feels less like a final destination and more like the beginning of another remarkable rise.
