Busia poised to retain SNE National Trophy at UPSSA Games

The National Primary Schools Special Needs Education (SNE) defending champions, Busia District Local Government, are setting the pace geared towards retaining the overall trophy at the climax of the 2026 Uganda Primary Schools’ Sports Association (UPSSA) Games hosted in Mubende Municipality.

James Etyang, team manager of Busia District Local Government, is optimistic that following the excellent performance registered so far in the championship, Busia has shown all the eligibility to retain the national trophy for the fifth time, starting from 2022 to date.

“We are here to compete, but not to participate. As I talk now, I have already secured five trophies obtained in sitting volleyball in the categories of children U-14 and U-12 boys and girls respectively, and also won a trophy in Boccia discipline for girls U-12.”

According to Etyang, his remaining target is to win against Namayingo District today in the Boccia U-14 boys’ category, and he is still looking at winning another trophy in goalball to seal the championship.

However, Benard Abiriga, a team leader from Maracha District SNE, who is also the neck-to-neck rival to Busia District in the SNE category, said he would win the race not until Thursday this week, the final day of the championship.

Abiriga said he narrowly missed the overall trophy of the SNE to Busia during the championship held in Yumbe last year.

The championship, running from August 24 to September 4, 2026, is the first of its kind to be hosted in the Central Region and features both mainstream primary school learners and children with special educational needs.

Speaking to Vision Sports, Joshua Mwomeezi, the National Coordinator for Special Needs Education, said the championship this time has registered 19 local governments, with participants showing talents in showdown, Boccia, volleyball, football, and goalball.

Special Needs Education athletes showcase their skills in sitting volleyball for the Under-14 category.

“The championship is moving well and the children are excited; the teams are happy with the way the games are going on,” said Mwomeezi.

According to Mwomeezi, SNE sports in Uganda have continued to make progress, with an increasing number of schools and learners joining competitions across the country.

“We appreciate the Government for this initiative because it has given our children an opportunity to participate, showcase their talents, and compete alongside others. The progress of SNE games in Uganda is encouraging, and every year we see more participants coming on board,” he added.

The President of the Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association, William Bwambale, while speaking at the official opening ceremony last Friday, confirmed that a total of 156 local governments have been represented in the championship.

“We are happy to see schools from different parts of the country coming together to compete, build friendships, and identify talent,” Bwambale said.

The National Primary Schools Championship features various ball games for normal children and Special Needs Education, giving learners an opportunity to compete, develop their skills, and promote inclusion through sport.

UPSSA Games

Selected results

Special Need Education (SNE)

Show down Virtually Impaired (V.I)

U-14 (Boys)

Arua Dist. 12 Nebbi 0

Mbarara 12 Nebbi 1

Girls

Maracha 27 Arua city 17

Mukono Dis 26 Arua Dist. 36

Katakwi 0 Mukono Dist. 10

Netball H.I

U-14 (Girls)

Mukono Mun 10 Mbarara city 0

Boys

U-12

Mityana Mun 2 Mukono Dis 19

Goal Ball

U-14 (Girls)

Maracha 10 Arua city 0

Sitting Volleyball

U-14 (Boys)

Busia Dis 14 Namayingo 13

Girls (U-12)

Busia Dis. 14 Namayingo 8

Boys (U-12)

Busia Dist. 14 Namayingo 3

Today

Goal Ball

U-14 (Boys)

Semifinals

Arua Dist. v Zombo

Mukono Dist. v Maracha

Girls

Maracha v Arua city

Koboko Mun v Arua Dis.

Showdown

U-14 (Boys)

Maracha v Arua Dis.

Mbarara city v Mukono Dist.

Girls

Arua Dist. v Arua city

Maracha v Mukono Dist.

Boccia

U-14 (Boys)

Finals

Busia Dist. v Namayingo.