St. Mary’s Kitende ready to fly Uganda’s flag at CAF Schools Championship finals

St. Mary’s Secondary School Kitende sports tutor Marion Atwegyeise says the team is ready to represent Uganda in the boys’ category at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals in Zimbabwe.

The tournament will run from 2 to 10 April in Harare.

“We are ready as a team. We have trained well, stayed focused, and we believe we can represent Uganda proudly and compete strongly against the best schools on the continent,” Atwegyeise said.

St. Mary’s Kitende has built a strong reputation in the CECAFA region, having qualified for the continental finals multiple times. The school represented the region in 2024, reached the semifinals in 2025, and has again secured qualification for the 2026 edition.

The team earned its slot after Uganda emerged champions in the boys’ category during last year’s CECAFA zonal qualifiers.

“It was not easy during the qualifiers because every team wanted to win, but we stayed focused, worked hard, and deserved to emerge champions after a tough final,” Atwegyeise said.

Uganda defeated Ethiopia 3–1 on penalties after a goalless draw in the final to lift the title.

Atwegyeise believes the continental competition will be tougher but important for player development.

“This tournament brings together top young talent from different countries and gives players exposure, experience, and a chance to grow both in football and life,” she noted.

She added that the championship has a significant impact on young players.

“It is a big opportunity for young players to showcase talent, learn new skills, and interact with others from different cultures across Africa,” she said.

A total of 16 teams, including zonal champions and the host nation, will compete in this year’s finals.

Tournament background

The CAF African Schools Football Championship, now in its fourth year, was initiated by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe in 2021 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The kick-off event was held in Maputo, Mozambique a few months later.

According to CAF, more than three million boys and girls have participated in the championship programmes since 2022, making it the biggest schools football competition globally. A total of 82,477 schools across Africa have taken part, with 48 African countries represented.

Prize money

The winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories receive USD 300,000, runners-up are awarded USD 200,000, and third-place finishers receive USD 150,000. The Motsepe Foundation invested an initial USD 10 million to contribute towards prize money.

Previous hosts of the finals include Tanzania (2024), Ghana (2025), and South Africa (2023).

Participating Teams

GIRLS

Zimbabwe (Hosts), Ghana (Champions), Burkina Faso, Morocco, Guinea, Tanzania, Zambia, DR Congo

BOYS

Zimbabwe (Hosts), Tanzania (Champions), Benin, Morocco, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, DR Congo