Acholi begin title defence strongly with athletics medal surge

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As the 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Ball Games II and Athletics Championships continue at Sacred Heart Girls' SS and Gulu High School in Gulu City, the defending athletics champions have made a strong start by winning several medals in both track and field events.

The championship, which got underway on Friday with an official opening ceremony at Janet Stadium, Sacred Heart Girls' SS, has attracted 10,181 athletes, comprising 6,142 boys and 4,039 girls competing in various sporting disciplines.

Competition on day three, held on Sunday, saw Acholi Zone lead the medal standings with seven medals won in the javelin, discus, 100 metres and 200 metres. Sebei, Teso, Bunyoro, Bukedi and Lango zones followed with five, four, three, two and one medals respectively.

In the boys' 100 metres final, Regan Duro Ocora of Acholi Zone underlined his determination by clocking 11.32 seconds to beat Saman Adam Okema of Bukedi Zone, who finished second in 11.66, while Walter Oling of Teso Zone claimed bronze in 11.84.

In the girls' 100 metres final, Tracy Nakubuya of Mpigi Zone produced an impressive performance to defeat Agnes Achan of Lango Zone, winning in 12.7 seconds compared to Achan's 13.4, while Naume Ayeerwot of Acholi Zone finished third in 13.6.

In the girls' javelin, Goretti Agemo of Acholi Zone won gold with a throw of 40.61 metres, ahead of Janeth Aneno, also of Acholi Zone, who recorded 40.07 metres. Sande Akello secured bronze with a throw of 39.03 metres.

In the boys' long jump, David Wamono of Bukedi Zone won gold with a leap of 6.56 metres, narrowly beating Saladin Kicaber of Acholi Zone, who managed 6.52 metres. Leonard Odoki claimed bronze with 6.40 metres.

Head coach Oyat Gilbert praised the discipline and commitment shown by the athletes, noting that this year's preparations had been more intense and focused than in previous years.

“The morale is high. The athletes know what’s at stake. We’ve focused on both endurance and technique and our goal is clear: retain the overall trophy.”

USSSA chief executive officer Christopher Mugisha Banage said the nine-day championship, hosted at St Peter's College and Tororo Girls School, will be used to identify schools and athletes who will represent Uganda at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games in Kakamega, Kenya.

“We have observed an increase in the number of zones and schools that have presented athletes for the FEASSA qualifiers this time. And we hope to have good teams,” Banage said.

USSSA Ball Games II

Athletics (100 metres)

Boys

Regan Duro Ocora – 11.32