More Ugandan players head to Japan, raising hopes for Africa's next baseball star

Uganda is one of the few African countries where baseball is steadily growing, despite limited facilities and funding.

The country is home to the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Academy, a key development hub for young players.

Japanese coach Katsuhisa Tanaka, who first came to Uganda in 2011 through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has been instrumental in the sport’s growth.

He helped build Uganda’s baseball community, coached the national team to a runner-up finish at the 2019 Africa Cup Baseball Championship, and opened a baseball academy near Kampala in 2025.

"We started building a baseball and softball community that has continued to grow. There is definitely interest in baseball in Uganda, and those who participate work very hard. Now that a few Ugandans have signed with professional teams, more young players share the same dream," Tanaka said.

The investment is starting to pay off, with more Ugandan players securing opportunities in Japan—raising hopes that the country could produce Africa’s next Major League Baseball (MLB) star.

Uganda is among around 20 African nations where baseball is played, but alongside South Africa, it has become a continental leader in developing the sport.

Ugandan coach Bernard Okello, who has mentored many current players, said Japan now offers a vital pathway for local talent.

"Not every player gets a chance to join MLB academies. Japan gives many young Ugandans another opportunity to improve, gain experience, and get noticed by professional clubs," Okello said.

He added that the closure of MLB’s academy in South Africa made the Japanese route even more critical.

"When the MLB academy closed, many African players lost an important opportunity. Now we have a pathway to Japan, and it is opening new doors for our players," he said.

Uganda’s growing reputation is reflected in the rising number of its players in Japan’s independent leagues. Last season, pitchers Fred Kyazze, Allan Kabenge, and Isabirye Musa Azed, along with catcher Dennis Kasumba, played for the Asahikawa Be:Stars in the Hokkaido Frontier League, while pitcher Kato Edrine represented Hyogo Bravers in the Kansai Independent League.

Kyazze impressed with 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings, while Azed posted a 2.98 ERA and held opponents to a .185 batting average.

This season, Uganda’s presence has grown further. Kasumba and Kabenge remain with the Be:Stars alongside compatriots Bernard Eluk, Twaise Geiven, Morris Ogwal, and Erick Ojara. Edrine has moved to Tokushima Indigo Socks in the Shikoku Island League.

Most of these players came through the LA Dodgers Baseball Academy, while Eluk, Geiven, Ogwal, and Ojara also represented Uganda at the 2023 U-18 Baseball World Cup African Qualifiers.

Instead of returning home after the season, many players now stay in Japan year-round to continue training.

Their progress has drawn interest from Japan’s top professional clubs. The Saitama Seibu Lions have signed Kyazze and Azed to developmental contracts with Shinano in the Baseball Challenge League as part of a long-term African talent development plan.

Other Nippon Professional Baseball clubs including the Yomiuri Giants, SoftBank Hawks, and Orix Buffaloes—have also expanded their scouting efforts in Uganda.