Uganda's schools shine on day one of FEASSA Games 2026

Uganda's representatives St Noa Girls, St Mary's Kitende, Light College Katikamu, and Hamdan Islamic Secondary School, are excelling at the ongoing 23rd edition of the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSA) Games 2026 in Morogoro, Tanzania.

The four schools, representing Uganda in the netball discipline, are registering remarkable results as each team focuses on winning a gold medal at the championship.

In the girls' netball, which continued at the Highland Estate Courts, the Ugandan sides wasted no time in taking on their regional rivals, with all four teams recording impressive victories on day one.

Ugandan teams in action in Morogoro Tanzania

Light College Katikamu had to dig deep to overcome Tanzania's Mkolani 30-24 in an entertaining Group A encounter. The Wakiso-based side endured a difficult start, falling 10-7 behind in the opening quarter. Light College responded in the second quarter but still went into halftime trailing 14-13.

The Ugandan side returned from the break with renewed determination, turning the game around in the third quarter by outscoring Mkolani 10-5 to take a 23-19 lead into the final quarter. Light College maintained their composure in the closing stages, adding seven more goals while restricting their opponents to five, to seal a hard-fought 30-24 victory. The win gives Light College valuable points and confidence as they continue their Group A campaign.

"It was a physical and tough game, but all in all, we managed to win. Since it is our first time at the FEASSA Games, today's victory has really motivated us. I applaud my teammates for the team spirit," said Patience Lucky, team captain of Light College Katikamu.

Lucky praised her teammates for their fighting spirit, particularly after overcoming the physical challenge presented by Mkolani.

Defending champions St Mary's Kitende also announced their intentions in emphatic fashion, demolishing Kenya's Bukoholo 77-26. Kitende raced to a 21-4 lead in the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 43-12 at halftime. The Ugandan champions continued their dominance after the break, taking a commanding 61-19 lead at the end of the third quarter before completing a 51-goal victory.

With both Ugandan teams winning their opening matches, Group A promises to deliver an intriguing contest as Light College look to build on their impressive start while Kitende begin their title defence in commanding fashion.

In Group B, St Noa Girls also produced an impressive performance, hammering Tanzania's Mbeya Secondary School 65-25. Hamdan Islamic Secondary School completed Uganda's clean sweep in the group with a convincing 57-28 victory over Tanzania's Vwawa Secondary School.

St Noa captain Trisia Nalumasi admitted that the encounter against Mbeya was challenging but said the team's immediate target is to progress from the group stage.

"It was tough against Mbeya of Tanzania, but we won. Our focus is to come out of the group stage. For now, our focus is tomorrow's game, which is a Uganda affair as we battle Hamdan Islamic Secondary School at 10am," Nalumasi said.

The strong opening day results have given Uganda's representatives an early boost as they seek to challenge for honours at the regional championships.

In the boys' football, Amus College School, St Mary's Boarding School Kitende, Kyadondo S.S, and Nsumba (Tanzania) all won their respective games.

Ijosiga Mudashir scored for Amus College School in a 1-0 win over Mbeya Day at the Highlands Sports Facility. St Mary's Kitende edged St Mary's Yala 1-0 courtesy of Laurian Lwesibawa's strike. Kyadondo S.S beat Kakamega High School from Kenya 2-1 at Jamhuri, while defending champions Bukedea Comprehensive School ended in a 2-2 draw against Urambo Day from Tanzania.

The championship, now marking 23 years since its inception, will officially be opened on Sunday, 16th August 2026, with FEASSA top brass officials, Tanzania Government representatives, as well as others from the participating countries, all taking part.

In a related note, Jinja S.S opened their FEASSA Games 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing Tanzania's Elerai 31-0 in the boys' fifteens rugby meet at the main campus of Sokoine University, Morogoro.

St Mary's College Kisubi, however, fell 25-10 to Kenya's Upper Hill, while Namilyango College also lost 52-3 to defending champions Kisii School from Kenya. In the girls' sevens, Jinja S.S edged familiar opponents Kinale of Kenya 12-10 in Round One, setting up a promising start for Uganda's only girls' rugby representative.