Rwanda Basketball Federation bade an emotional farewell to Kami Kabange’s international career as he announced his retirement. A recognition gesture occurred at the 2023 FERWABA All Star Game Event.
KIGALI, September 23, Rwanda’s governing body for Basketball, in their usual manner of concluding the basketball season, organized a well-entertained All-Star Game event, highlighted by a heartfelt moment to honour Kami Kabange for his outstanding international basketball career.
During Saturday’s occurrence, Kami Kabange, accompanied by his children and wife, had nothing but praise and acknowledgement for the Basketball fraternity.
“I could not go without expressing gratitude to the Federation of Basketball, headed by Mr. Desire Mugwiza, he has been a major influence in my career, especially in the National team; so much applause for him.”
“I’d also like to thank my family, my teammates, the entire basketball community, my coaches, and all of the fans. Keep going, keep enjoying basketball. THANK YOU”. Said Kami Kabange
Kami Kabange Milambwe, born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,and found a home in Rwanda thanks to his excellent basketball talent and disciplined behaviour.
Kami crossed Kivu for good and forever in 2007, two years after drawing attention from the Katanga side Besa Mazembe. Winning back-to-back league titles with the army team in his first two seasons in Rwanda, won him the hearts of basketball fans in the land of a thousand hills, and thus got naturalized two years later.
Kabange spent his first four seasons in Rwanda with APR Basketball Club, where he won two national leagues, before spending a short but unforgettable stint in Espoir BBC where they won the league title as well as the FIBA Africa Zone V Clubs Championship in 2012.
He joined Uganda’s City Oilers in 2013 and cemented his status by winning four straight titles.
The Oilers, along with Kami, dominated East Africa, winning the 2016 FIBA Africa Zone V Clubs Championship.
The power forward twice won MVP honours in Uganda’s NBL before joining Rwanda Energy Group in January 2017 in what City Oilers described as a fantastic offer and the club couldn’t stand in his way.
The 39-year-old legend put the Electricians on the map by helping them clinch a 2017 league title in their maiden season, back-to-back league titles in 2021 and 2022, then carried a national flag in the Basketball Africa League. He then assisted them in reaching the 2023 RBL Playoffs final, where they lost to APR.
His recent game in a red and white jersey was a painful 80-68 loss to his former team APR, as APR completed a sweep and successfully reclaimed the title, they last won in 2009 with Kami.
Kami opted to play for Rwanda in 2009 and has participated in four AfroBasket tournaments: 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2017. His last appearance for the national team occurred in February 2021, during the AfroBasket Qualifiers in Monastir
Rwanda Basketball Federation, FERWABA, has earned a reputation as Rwanda’s first sports association that takes pride in past players. the other recent players to receive such honour are Aristide Mugabe and Meshack Rwampungu.
