Buddo SS coach Jessy Assimwe eyes FEASSSA netball glory in Kakamega

Buddo Secondary School netball coach Jessy Assimwe has set his sights on clinching victory at the 22nd edition of the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games, set to take place in Kakamega, Kenya from August 12 to 23, 2025.

Speaking to Vision Sport, Assimwe acknowledged the scale of the challenge but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to deliver for Uganda. “FEASSSA games are never easy.

Last year, we didn’t perform well, but this time our goal is to win it for the people of Central Uganda. Ugandan teams are always competitive and have what it takes to bring home trophies,” he said.

Buddo SS has been placed in Group A alongside St. Joseph's Kitale (Kenya), St. Noa Girls Zana (Uganda), Bukoholo (Tanzania), GS Gahini (Rwanda), and Rutozo (Tanzania). Group B features defending champions St Mary’s Kitende (Uganda), Oyugi Ogango (Kenya), Vwawa (Tanzania), Kayatiwi (Kenya), Hamdan Islamic (Uganda), and Bugogwa (Tanzania).

Assimwe identified St Joseph’s Kitale and Hamdan Islamic as the biggest threats in their group but remained confident. “Those two schools are very strong, but our girls are ready. They’ll handle them,” he said.

Buddo SS heads into the FEASSSA Games with momentum, having recently made history by winning their first-ever national netball title at the USSSA Ball Games II held at Tororo Girls School. They dethroned record holders St Mary’s Kitende in a thrilling final.

At last year’s FEASSSA Games hosted by Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School, Uganda retained the overall title with 38 medals—13 gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze. Kenya followed with 27 medals (11 gold, 10 silver, 6 bronze), marking an improvement from their previous tally of 23.

Rwanda finished third with one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, while Burundi—despite having the smallest contingent—claimed gold in boys’ volleyball and finished ahead of Tanzania.

In the primary schools category, Uganda continued its dominance with nine medals, followed by Kenya (eight) and Tanzania (seven).

Kenya reclaimed the rugby 15s and boys’ hockey titles from Uganda, with All Saints Embu and Musingu High School winning their first-ever championships in those categories. In girls’ hockey, St Joseph’s Girls led Kenya to a clean sweep, dethroning defending champions Nyamira Girls, who settled for silver, while Tigoi Girls took bronze.