Over 10,000 athletes compete as 2026 USSSA Championships Open in Gulu
A record 25 disciplines are on the programme, including new exhibition sports such as golf, kabaddi, kho kho, pickleball, and darts.
Athletes competing in the 100m heats during the athletics events at the USSSA National Championships. PHOTOS: Gabriel Esiku
The 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Ball Games II and Athletics Championships officially kicked off on Friday, July 10, 2026, with a vibrant opening ceremony at Sacred Heart Girls' Secondary School grounds in Gulu City.
The event featured three core sporting activities, athletics, netball, and football, and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting championship.
Athletes competing in the 100m heats during the athletics events at the USSSA National Championships
A record 25 disciplines are on the programme, including new exhibition sports such as golf, kabaddi, kho kho, pickleball, and darts.
The ceremony drew hundreds of onlookers, athletes, politicians, educators, religious and cultural leaders, and officials from the Ministry of Education. The guest of honour was Hajjat Zulaika Nabukeera, President of the Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU), who was received by USSSA President Justus Mugisha, his executive team, and the local organising committee.
Hajjat Zulaika Nabukeera, President of the Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU), addressing participants during the opening ceremony at Sacred Heart Girls' Secondary School grounds in Gulu
Hellen Lamunu, head teacher of Sacred Heart Girls' SS, thanked the Government of Uganda and the Ministry of Education and Sports for entrusting St. Peter's Tororo and Tororo Girls' School with the responsibility of hosting such a large contingent of over 10,180 athletes.
Students entertaining visitors with a traditional Acholi dance during the opening ceremony of the 2026 USSSA National Ball Games II and Athletics Championships in Gulu.
In his keynote address, USSSA President Justus Mugisha welcomed the student-athletes, officials, and dignitaries with a message centred on excellence, integrity, and vision.
"It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to the 2025 National Ball Games II, Mind Games, and Athletics Championships," Mugisha said. "We are honoured to have ASSHU President Hajjat Zulaika Nabukeera as our chief guest."
He noted that the championship, co-hosted by Sacred Heart Girls' SS and Gulu High School, features 25 sports disciplines, including demonstration events, and brings together 10,180 athletes who qualified through intense regional and zonal competitions.
Students entertaining visitors with a traditional Acholi dance during the opening ceremony of the 2026 USSSA National Ball Games II and Athletics Championships in Gulu.
Mugisha also highlighted the growth and diversity of the games, pointing out that the first-term games mainly featured U-20 boys' competitions in football, volleyball, basketball, and handball, alongside netball.
In the opening netball fixtures, giants including St. Noa Girls' Secondary School, St. Mary's Secondary School Kitende, Kawanda Secondary School, Baptist High School, and Kaddugala Secondary School began their campaigns in emphatic fashion.
It was a difficult start for Moroto High School, Buwunga Secondary School, and Tororo Girls' School, who suffered some of the heaviest defeats as the tournament's top contenders quickly stamped their authority in the race for this year's national title.
USSSA President Justus Mugisha delivering the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 USSSA National Ball Games II and Athletics Championships in Gulu
Among the standout performances, St. Noa Girls' Secondary School delivered a ruthless display, thrashing Buwunga Secondary School 45–2 in one of the tournament's biggest victories.
Goal shooter Jamila Nasimbe and goal attacker Trisha Nalumansi combined brilliantly in attack, converting almost every opportunity, while midfielder Maria Kelly orchestrated play with precision, keeping St. Noa's attack flowing throughout the contest.