One-team man Kasewu does not see romance with Warriors ending

Kampala.

Basketball side Warriors, and player Ronnie Kasewu are one knitted couple. It is actually a year short of 20 since the two forged this almost inseparable bond.
“And I’ve never had any reason to leave,” said Kasewu, his 6’3’ frame sunk into the comfort of the Altezza as he repeatedly tapped away at the dashboard, “I don’t have one now.”
It does not need emphasizing that this interview was being carried out at Kyambogo University; the same locale where Kasewu was born and bred!

Warriors No.1,2 and 3
“I don’t have any plans of moving; whether as a player, coaching or in the stands as a fan. It’s all Warriors. Always.”
Kasewu was reacting to reports that he has harboured quitting plans for two seasons now, and that actually the upcoming campaign would be his last.

“That is their opinion,” he dismissed, “I will carry on for as long as my body allows. I can’t put a date to retiring.”
Thirty-four years old this year, Kasewu started playing for the only club he has known all his basketball life aged 15 in 1998.
He was in Senior Two at Kyambogo College at the time and the bond between player and club has since grown from strength to strength.

Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) president Ambose Tashobya doubles as Pemba Warriors patron.
According to the player, “Tashobya is a straight guy who cherishes discipline and results.” No wonder Tashobya believes Kasewu is to Warriors what Warriors are to the player.
“There is no substitute to loyalty,” said Tashobya, “Honesty is one thing, but loyalty is everything,

“Ronnie has had his heart at the club. Ronnie, Brian (Gumisiriza, now club manager); they have been with us through thick and thin. Ronnie has stuck with us in most of the difficult times when we had no money.

“Ronnie needs the club, the club needs Ronnie. From the 90s we have progressed from one stage to another and he has been with us.

“As far as we are concerned, Ronnie will continue to be at the club. We want to help him transition the same way we have promoted Steve Okiasi to assistant coach. I see a future good coach in him, a good administrator too.”

Warriors have made semifinal playoffs at least seven times in the last 10 seasons, only dropping to quarters in the last three.

In the said 10 years, the Kyambogo-based club have won the national championship title twice – 2009 and 2012.

Winning again, stopping Oilers
But since Warriors last championship victory, a new monster has been born from down under - literally.
That monster comes in the name of City Oilers, who enter the upcoming new season on the back of four straight national titles.

Kasewu and Warriors, losing finalists to hosts at the weekend’s UCU Open in Mukono, insists time to win the championship again is this year, but they have to first stop the monster.
“Of course as champions (Oilers) they are the benchmark,” admitted Kasewu, “We respect them. They have a great squad and good organisation, which was lacking in most clubs.

“But there will be change this season as most clubs are now taking organisation serious. If we want the title, we must beat them. Someone has to stop them.

“Of course they have added the experience of Steve (Omony, from Falcons). He has great leadership and is a great player but a lot has also changed at Warriors.

“The coaching (Ronnie Mutebi replaced Sam Obol, with Okiasi deputizing), the players (former Falcons star Mike Bazangu has joined them), our work ethic has improved, so we are really looking forward to the new campaign.”

Left or right-handed?
Everyone is indeed looking forward to the new season, a season some will enter still wondering what Kasewu’s stronger hand is.
For anyone watching today, it is easy to see his left does most of the dribbling and shooting.

But anyone that saw Kasewu play for Kyambogo College before going it big time at Warriors in 1998 will tell you the guard is a right handed basketballer.

“I use left right now,” explained Kasewu, “But I started out using both hands thanks to handball. At Kyambogo, starting out, we had all kinds of games, so I played handball, football, name it.

“So I played with both hands, but with the right as the stronger one until I got a twist in my right hand while playing handball in 1998.”

Kasewu continued: “During my healing, I would play basketball with one hand - the left. With time the left got stronger and then in 1999, I got a fracture in my right wrist while playing kid games, just running around.

“So I learned everything a fresh, playing with the left, writing with the right… till today.” Does playing with left give him advantage over his opponents?

“Of course to most right is the normal,” he narrated, “So they are always surprised by the abnormal – the left.”
At 33, Kasewu is definitely into the evening of his game.
But for those who know his determination to win, fire to succeed, and zeal to defy critics, Kasewu will inevitably continue surprising more with his left when the season tips off this month.

Kasewu fact file
Name: Ronnie Kasewu
Age: 33
Club: Warriors (since 1998)
Championships: 2 (09, 12)
National team debut: 2005

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