Ssempa hails schools inclusion as turning point for baseball and softball
He described the move as a fundamental strategy for long-term development.
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Uganda Baseball and Softball Association (UBASA) president John Bosco Ssempa has hailed the inclusion of baseball, softball, and Baseball5 in the 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) calendar as a major breakthrough for the sport.
He described the move as a fundamental strategy for long-term development.
Ssempa emphasized that schools remain the most reliable and sustainable source of players, making the USSSA decision a turning point for baseball and softball in Uganda. For the first time, the three disciplines will be played by both boys and girls at the secondary school level.
“This is a very important step. Schools are the only sustainable avenue to find players year in, year out,” Ssempa said. “UBASA applied for baseball, softball and Baseball5 to be included in USSSA, and we are happy it has happened.”
USSSA recently added seven new disciplines to its 2026 calendar. Baseball, softball, and Baseball5 will feature as demonstration events during the Ball Games II Championship in Gulu, alongside cricket, golf, kabaddi, kho kho, and pickleball. The championship will serve as a testing ground to assess interest, competitiveness, and readiness before full inclusion.
To prepare schools, UBASA has rolled out a nationwide capacity-building plan. Coaching clinics and training programs will be conducted across all 15 UBASA sub-zones, targeting teachers, games masters, and technical officials.
“We have planned capacity building across all the 15 sub-zones of UBASA. We are committed, working together with USSSA, to make sure these sports grow in schools,” Ssempa explained.
He noted that Baseball5, a faster and space-friendly version of baseball, is particularly suitable for schools with limited facilities and equipment. Its adaptability makes it ideal for urban areas with little open space.
The development is expected to strengthen Uganda’s national teams in the future. According to Ssempa, introducing the sports in schools will widen the talent pool and help uncover hidden talent from different regions.
“This expansion extends the scope of talent identification and helps us uncover untapped talent in far regions of Uganda,” he said.
Beyond schools, UBASA has also made strides in grassroots development. The West Nile Sub-Zone recently elected its regional committee in line with the amended 2025 UBASA constitution, further solidifying the association’s structures.