Mugisha calls for strong bids for 2027 USSSA Games

Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mugisha has called on schools with the required facilities to bid for the 2027 national secondary school championships, saying hosting the games is a chance to support talent development.

USSSA, working with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU), has opened the bidding process for schools interested in hosting or co-hosting next year's championships.

"We encourage schools with the required facilities and commitment to come forward and be part of this journey," Mugisha said.

"Hosting a USSSA National Championship is more than organising a sports event. It is an opportunity to inspire young people, promote sports development, showcase your institution and community, and contribute to the growth of school sports in Uganda," he added.

The 2027 programme will feature more than 30 sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, netball, athletics, swimming, cricket, badminton, golf, chess, dancesport, futsal and beach sports.

Schools bidding to host will need to show they have the capacity for accommodation, feeding, security, medical services, competition venues, accreditation, ceremonies, media operations, water and power supply, as well as separate facilities for boys and girls.

Beyond hosting, the championships remain a key part of Uganda's talent pathway.

USSSA has become one of the country's biggest platforms for identifying and developing young athletes, with more than 6,800 schools and over 320,000 athletes taking part in more than 20 sports.

That pathway is clear in football, where school competitions have helped expose players such as Bobosi Byaruhanga, Allan Oyirwoth, Abdulnoor Nsereko, Shamulan Kamya and Alex Yiga.

The girls' game has also benefited, with players such as Sandra Nabweteme, Agnes Nabukenya, Priscah Ayerango, Sharon Kaidu and Fauzia Najjemba coming through the school football system before moving to higher levels of the game.

Basketball has also used the school system to bring through young talent. Melisa Kisakye, Favour Kirabo, Arthur Mpuga and Mariam Namukwaya are among those linked to the school-to-national-league pathway.

In netball, Mary Nuba Cholhok and Shaffie Nalwanja are examples of players whose development passed through Uganda's school sports system before they moved on to higher levels.

The pathway is not only about individual success. Uganda's performance at the 2026 FEASSA Games, where the country won 18 secondary-school gold medals, reflected the depth of talent in football, basketball, netball, volleyball, handball, softball and other sports.

USSSA is also preparing schools for the 2027 season through an early reopening of its online registration system.

The system will reopen on October 1, 2026, after closing on August 12 following the 2026 season and FEASSA Games.

Schools will be able to register new student-athletes, update profiles, transfer learners and update their sports data.

USSSA has reminded schools that athletes must have complete profiles, including NIN, LINS, a recent passport photograph, date of birth and class.

Schools have also been advised to use the transfer window properly and remove athletes who are no longer at their institutions.

Mugisha said the early reopening is meant to reduce last-minute registration problems and improve fairness.

"We are opening early to avoid the last-minute rush that affects eligibility. We call upon all Games Teachers, Headteachers and Directors to ensure their athletes are correctly registered, transferred and updated in time. Fair play starts with a clean and transparent system," he concluded.