St. Mary’s Kitende return to USSSA Elite Championship after three-year absence

Tomorrow 

Football Boys

Buddo SS vs Janan SS 10am

Kitende vs Kawempe Muslim 10am

Football Girls 

St. Noa Girls vs St. Catherine 10am

Kawempe Muslim vs Panyadoli 10am

Three-time Elite football champions St. Mary’s Kitende have officially returned to the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Elite Championship after a three-year absence.

Their participation was confirmed yesterday during the competition draws held at USSSA headquarters in Kampala.

Kitende last featured in the championship in 2022, when they hosted and lifted the trophy, but have been absent since. Newly appointed sports tutor Marion Atwegyeise expressed excitement about the school’s comeback.

USSSA Technical Committee chairperson announcing group stages during draws

“We are back and ready to compete as always,” Atwegyeise said. “We will take part in football, basketball 5x5 (girls), and netball, and I can assure you, we are here to win, nothing less.”

In the football draws, Kitende was placed in the so-called “Group of Death” alongside Bukedea, Uganda Martyrs Rubaga, Standard High School, and Kawempe Muslim. The three-time champions open their campaign tomorrow against Kawempe Muslim. Meanwhile, Buddo SS faces hosts Janan SS in Group B, which also includes Mentor SS, Kyaddondo SS, and Fort Portal SS, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.

On the girls’ side, defending champions St. Noa Girls were drawn in Group A with Nkoma SS, Bukedea Comprehensive, and St. Catherine Girls Kazo, while Group B features last year’s runners-up Kawempe Muslim, along with Uganda Martyrs, Sheema Girls, Standard High Zana, and Panyadoli Girls.

Kitende’s return also promises renewed excitement in netball, where they will face Buddo SS in a round-robin format. Other netball participants include St. Francis SS Busujju, Fort Portal SS, Namungo Seed School, Namagabi SS, and hosts Janan SS.

St Mary's Kitende sports tutor Marion Atwegyeise during the draws

Draws for other sports, including volleyball (boys and girls), handball (boys and girls), basketball 3x3 and 5x5 (both genders), and rugby sevens—were also completed, with competitions set to run on a round-robin basis.

Khalifa Ayub, chairman of USSSA’s technical committee, expressed optimism about the championship, noting the heightened competitiveness brought by returning powerhouses like Kitende.

“These games will be very competitive and will serve as preparation for the upcoming events on the USSSA calendar,” Khalifa said. He also highlighted recent rule changes aimed at giving players more game time: “Football substitutions have been increased to 10, matches will last 35 minutes, while netball, handball, and volleyball will play four quarters of 10 minutes each.”

Teams are scheduled to arrive at Janan SS today, with competitions set to kick off on Friday and conclude on Sunday, promising a thrilling return for Kitende and a highly competitive Elite Championship.