Security stepped up for USSSA Jinja schools' football knockouts
Jinja USSSA schools competition committee official Dan Musota revealed that his team has stepped up plans to tighten security during the knockout stages.
Students watching a preliminary match played on Monday at Wairaka College. (Photo by Bruno Mugooda)
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Organisers of the Jinja USSSA schools football competition have moved to tighten security ahead of the knockout stage following violent incidents that marred the preliminary matches last week.
Jinja USSSA schools competition committee official Dan Musota revealed that his team has stepped up plans to tighten security during the knockout stages.
Musota said this after being alerted to a weak security response that saw fans of St John SS Wakitaka throw stones at their counterparts from JIPRA and Lakeside SS during preliminary matches held at Wairaka College.
The clashes resulted in several injuries, a situation Musota said should have been prevented.
"We have talked to administrators of several schools involved under the guidance of top security teams in Jinja and promised to double up security during all the knockout stages. We want to end this uncalled violence that has been eating up Jinja schools' football fans for years," said Musota.
Jinja schools' football competitions have, for years, been marred by crowd violence.
A case in point is when two bitter rivals, Jinja SS and JIPRA, meet in finals, a situation that has previously caused tension across Jinja town and forced organisers to shift matches to Gaddafi Military Barracks.
Traditional giants JIPRA, the defending champions, Jinja SS, Lakeside SS, Jinja Comprehensive, Lwanda High, Busedde Seed, Harding Christian Academy and St Joseph SS Nakanyonyi are among the schools that have progressed to the round of 16, which kicks off on March 24, 2026, at various playgrounds.
Mike Elanga, head of technical for the Jinja USSSA qualifiers, revealed that the draw for the round of 16 will be conducted on Monday, March 23, 2025.
Meanwhile, Busoga Zone USSSA chairperson John Okeya revealed that more measures have been put in place to curb the use of overage players in school competitions across the region.
The Busoga regional USSSA qualifiers will be held in Kamuli district from April 15 to 18 at various playgrounds to determine the teams that will represent the region at the national USSSA finals in Lira district.
Jinja USSSA qualifiers
Lakeside SS 4-0 Mutai SS
Jinja College 0-1 St Joseph SS Nakanyonyi
St Joseph SS Nakanyonyi 7-0 East SS Buyala
Jinja College 5-2 Nsaka SS
Jinja College 4-0 East SS Buyala
Jinja SS 3-0 Kakira SS
Nakabango Luther 0-2 Holy Cross Lake View
Jinja Comprehensive 3-0 Wairaka Modern