USSSA extends capacity building training to Karamoja

With the aim of professionalising, standardising, and sustaining school sports, the Uganda Secondary School Sports Association (USSSA) has extended its capacity building training to the Karamoja region.

The training, conducted from February 15 to 20, 2026, with 325 participants in attendance, was hosted at Abim Secondary School in Abim District. It is the first-ever training of its kind to be conducted in the area.

The five-day exercise brought together teachers and students from the districts of Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Moroto, Napak, Kotido, Kabong, Karenga, and Abim. Participants attained knowledge in football refereeing, netball umpiring, football coaching, volleyball, athletics, and media.

Kenneth Ocola, the deputy headteacher of Abim Secondary School, expressed excitement about the overwhelming turnout and the positive response to the program.

"The impact of the USSSA capacity-building training has been profound, with reduction in riots and violence during school games, increased participation and confidence among students in officiating roles, and schools becoming more self-sufficient with trained personnel in sports management," Ocola said.

Ocola applauded the USSSA initiative for shaping the future of sports in schools by fostering a culture of knowledge, discipline, and professionalism among students and teachers.

Patrick Okanya, the national capacity building coordinator, emphasized the importance of the training in reducing school fights during competitions.

"This training will help curb fights during school competitions. Many of these fights arise from unfair officiating. By equipping students and teachers with officiating skills, we ensure fair play and professionalism in school sports," Okanya said.

According to Okanya, the USSSA Capacity Building Training in Karamoja marks a major milestone in developing sports professionalism and officiation in the region and at the national level.

"In the past, secondary school sports competitions in Uganda were often marred by riots and indiscipline at district, zonal, and national levels. A lack of understanding of game rules, proper officiation, and coaching contributed to these issues, leading to tragic incidents, including the loss of lives. Recognizing the need for reform, USSSA stepped up with deliberate efforts to tackle these challenges head-on," Okanya noted.

Winnie Akello Cate, a student at Morulem Girls Secondary School, counted herself lucky to be part of the training.

"I got information about the beginners coaching course through the USSSA platform. I find the things we are learning to be relevant to my coaching career as well as to me. I am really lucky to be part of this program," a smiling Akello said.

Patrick Osekeny from Nakapiripirit shared his experience: "So far, we have learned the fundamentals of coaching and the tools we are supposed to use while coaching, for example, dribbling, receiving, and passing the ball. This is the first day of training, and I expect even more as we keep going."

The training was officially closed by the Abim Resident District Commissioner, Robert Adiama, who encouraged the trainees to return home and professionalize the skills acquired to improve the discipline of young sportsmen and women.

USSSA officially launched its capacity-building training programs in December 2022 at Kibuli Secondary School in Kampala.