2026 National Primary School Ball Games Kick Off in Mubende

The 2026 National Primary School Ball Games have officially commenced with the arrival and screening of participants ahead of the real action, which begins today, Thursday, August 27, 2026, in Mubende District.

The ten-day sporting event, organized by the Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, started on Tuesday with teams' arrival, while screening took place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the hosting school, Mubende Army Secondary School.

UPSSA President, William Bwambale, said the championship, which targets children in the U-12 and U-14 categories, will showcase talents in six disciplines: Handball, Netball, Football, Volleyball, Kho Kho, and Goal Ball for para-athletes.

"We have slightly registered an increase in the number of districts, cities, municipalities, and estates that have come for the championship compared to the one we hosted last year in Mbarara City," said Bwambale.

Pauline Musigire, the First Vice President in charge of Administration and Competition, said the local organizing committee managed to set the ground with the mood of hosting a peaceful championship.

Primary school children being verified a head of the compitition Esiku

"I want to say that, on the side of facilities to host the games, they are enough to accommodate all the disciplines. There is also enough manpower that will be in position to patrol all the areas where the young boys and girls will be sleeping, and even up to the playing grounds, the children will be looked after," said Musigire.

Mubende Army SS Head Teacher, Major Julius Kansiime, says they have prepared 24 playing grounds and courts for handball, volleyball, netball, and football, among other games.

Kansiime urged games teachers to emphasize discipline among learners throughout the tournament and called upon local leaders to support schools during the championship.

Richard Etidu, from the Soroti District Sports Association, said their main target is to win various accolades during the tournament.

"We are very prepared and ready to win various accolades in the championship simply because my team is more than determined to take that trophy home," Etidu narrated.

However, John Bosco Omugen, the Kumi Municipal Sports Officer, said he is looking forward to retaining the volleyball overall trophy he won in Kitgum last year.

Primary school children being verified a head of the compitition Esiku

Gilbert Orikiriza, Officer in Charge of Primary Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, said the championship will be used to identify young boys and girls who will represent the country in international school games such as the ISF.

Orikiriza encouraged the government to increase the annual conditional grants for Sports Development from 60 million shillings to at least 100 million shillings.