By Eriah Lule
When you search Google for Vilma Achieng, you will see images of a 6’2” melanin damsel dribbling a ball on a court. You might compare her to LeBron James or Stephen Curry, but also to a potential female Michael Jordan on the African Continent.
The former captain of the Uganda Christian University (UCU) women’s basketball team, the Lady Canons, has an accomplished athlete reputation. With four seasons of play, three Ugandan national titles, participation in the World Cup 3*3 in Xiamen, China, and the East African University Games in 2015 and 2017, Achieng was the most valuable player in the National Basketball League (NBL), the nation’s top league, for three (2015, 2016, 2017) straight seasons. She has been a star at the Kenyan National team since 2013.
With her transfers to play for the National Youth Talent Academy (NYTA) Shimbahills in Kenya, Eagle Wings in Kenya and Mont Fleuri in the Republic of Seychelles, as well as her current position as captain of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s team, the Kenyan national over time has established herself as one of the NBL and the Kenyan Basketball National League’s (KBF) most courageous and dominant centers.

Considered an African female celebrity, the 31-year-old has signed professional contracts and captained nearly every team she has played for – something she never would have imagined 20 years ago.
She started playing basketball in 2006 when she enrolled at Raliew Girls Secondary School, one of the old basketball powerhouses in Nyanza, a Kenyan province near Lake Victoria.
Despite her erratic performance in the nationals, Achieng remained passionate about basketball, and in 2010, she received a sports scholarship to attend Asumbi Training Teachers College following her high school graduation.
Before being given the 2011 opportunity to play in the local premier league by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) winners Eagle Wings, she was recruited by Shimba Hills Academy.
Vilma stayed for only a year with Eagle Wings before joining UCU through a sports scholarship. At UCU, she played for UCU Lady Canons in the Uganda National Basketball League.
Vilma’s commitment to her academic journey is evident in her decision to enroll in a three-year Bachelor of Arts with Education program in 2015. Through this program, Vilma honed her skills and knowledge in education, preparing herself for a successful career in teaching and mentoring students.
“My experience at UCU has shaped me into a well-rounded individual, equipped with the skills and the mindset necessary for success in both my professional and personal life,” she said. “UCU’s faith-based values and commitment to holistic education developed my passion for teaching, community development and servant leadership.”
Throughout her time at UCU, Vilma faced various obstacles, including injuries and the pressures of maintaining a high academic standing. Yet, her resilience shone through. She often shared her experiences with younger players, mentoring them on and off the court.
“It’s important to uplift others,” she said. “Basketball can open doors, but education is the key that unlocks them.”
Vilma graduated in 2018, earning her degree with honors. Armed with her education and basketball experience, she joined the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Women’s basketball team and, later, moved into management as a sports supervisor of the club’s facility called KPA-Welfare Centre – Makupa in Mombasa, Kenya.
Her responsibilities include overseeing sports programs, coordinating tournaments, training youth and ensuring facility safety. She credits UCU’s emphasis on ethics and pedagogy for preparing her to mentor athletes holistically. Despite her managerial duties, Vilma still makes it to KPA’s first team at the court.
“As the captain and supervisor, I coordinated with the head coach to launch and run a free kids camp during holidays, to ensure the youths are fully engaged, and the teaching of life skills to ensure a holistic individual,” she noted.
Born to Joseph Owino and Rose Akinyi of Asembo-Rarieda, Siaya County, in the South Western part of Kenya, Vilma is the couple’s only child whose dream is to establish a sports infrastructure in their home village and pursue a master’s degree in Sports Management.
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