Overview:
Since the triumph of Fort Portal City’s St Leo’s Kyegobe in 1997, Mbarara City’s Ngabo Academy (2001), Nagalama Islamic (2002), Bishop Nankyama (2010), Jinja S.S (2017) and lately St Julian High School Mukono (2024), all the titles won since 1986 have been Kampala and Wakiso based schools.
The 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Boys’ football championship officially comes to an end on Tuesday, 19th May at the Lira Town College playground.
A new champion awaits to be crowned on the podium, and it will either be Amus College School or Bukedea Comprehensive School South with a brand fresh trophy.
These two Bukedea district-based schools face each other for the first time in a national final, despite having locked horns at the district, regional level and international meet during the ISF World Cup in China.
Since the triumph of Fort Portal City’s St Leo’s Kyegobe in 1997, Mbarara City’s Ngabo Academy (2001), Nagalama Islamic (2002), Bishop Nankyama (2010), Jinja S.S (2017) and lately St Julian High School Mukono (2024), all the titles won since 1986 have been Kampala and Wakiso based schools.
Another piece of history will be written as the national schools’ football title heads to the far East in Teso region.
Amus College played and lost a final in 2024 against St Julian High School Mukono and this is how close a school from Teso region smelt the trophy.
Head of technical at Amus College School Nimrod Kintu addressed the media on the eve of the final, testifying how prepared the players are to write history.
“We played a final in 2024 that we lost. Last year in Ngora, we stopped at the round of 32. We are sorry for what happened then. There was a lapse in the technical team that we have since rectified when head coach Richard Malinga returned. Coming to the final, we are now conducting the body conditioning and what shall at all times concentrate on the mentality of the players than the referee. This is a home final away from home. We respect them but they remain our juniors” Kintu disclosed.
Ronald Ssali, the head coach at Bukedea Comprehensive School South is equally beefed up for this final.
“We have prepared since 2024. This is our fist final and we ready to get the good results. A final is a final. We are now preparing the players mentally for a great final” Ssali remarked.
The two team captains Steven Balagadde (Bukedea Comprehensive South) and Iddi Abdul Rashid (Amus College School) are positive coming to the D-Day.
“The game against Bukedea Comprehensive is a big one. It is one game that we have to show who we are really. Our preparations have been okay. It will not be an easy game and we do not know what God has planned for us. We shall however do our level best to achieve success” Rashid, a king pin defender hinted.
His counterpart Balagadde expressed delight playing in his first final at the national level.
“I feel so happy that we have progressed thus far. This is a great achievement for me as a player and entire team. Personally, the biggest match we played so far came at the semi-final against Kyadondo since we needed to progress for the final” Balagadde hinted.
Amus College School will miss the services of Pius Oyirwoth who was red carded during the 4-1 post match penalty over St Mary’s Kitende after a second bookable offence.
Normal time of this game had ended goal-less at the Dr Obote College playground 1.
Meanwhile, Bukedea Comprehensive South edged Kyadondo SS Matugga 1-0 courtesy of Patrick Ssenkusu’s goal.
St Mary’s Kitende has won the most titles (12) with Kibuli S.S following suit on 11.
Cast of previous winners since 1986:
- 2025: Buddo S.S
- 2024: St Julian High Mukono
- 2023: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2022: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2020 & 2021: Skipped due to COVID-19
- 2019: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2018: Buddo SS
- 2017: Jinja SS
- 2016: Kibuli SS
- 2015: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2014: Kibuli SS
- 2013: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2012: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2011: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2010: Bishop Nankyama
- 2009: Buddo SS
- 2008: St Mary’s Kitende
- 2007: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2006: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2005: Kibuli SS
- 2004: St Mary’s SS Kitende
- 2003: Old Kampala
- 2002: Nagalama Islamic
- 2001: Ngabo Academy
- 2000: Kibuli SS
- 1999: Old Kampala
- 1998: Kibuli SS
- 1997: St Leo’s Kyegobe
- 1996: Kibuli SS
- 1995: Kibuli SS
- 1994: Lubiri SS
- 1993: Kibuli SS
- 1992: Kibuli SS
- 1991: Kibuli SS
- 1990: Kololo SS
- 1989: Kibuli SS
- 1988: Kololo SS
- 1987: Kololo SS
- 1986: Kololo SS
