USSSA unveils roadmap as schools gear up for 2026 Ball Games in Gulu

Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) president Justus Mugisha has challenged schools, districts and zones to embrace proper planning and strict adherence to regulations as preparations for the 2026 National Ball Games II, Mind Games and Athletics Championships gather momentum.

This follows the release of the final programme for zonal qualifiers and new athletics and cross-country regulations ahead of the national championships, which will be hosted by Sacred Heart Secondary School in Gulu City from July 8–17.

"The roadmap is intended to help every school, district and zone prepare adequately and avoid last-minute challenges. We want an organised competition process that gives every participant a fair opportunity to compete and develop," Mugisha said.

Online registration opened on May 21 and will continue until June 25, while district qualifiers started on June 4 and are ongoing across the country.

Mugisha said the association is focused on ensuring that all stages of the competition are conducted professionally as schools battle for qualification slots.

"We have strengthened our regulations because school sports must continue to grow in a structured manner. The objective is not only competition but also safeguarding athletes, promoting talent and supporting education through sport," he added.

Under the roadmap released by USSSA, zonal qualifiers will begin on June 20 and run until July 1, while payment and verification exercises will start on June 20 and continue until July 5.

Replacement of teams at the zonal level will be conducted between June 25 and July 4, while replacement of teams for the national championships will take place between July 4 and July 5.

The draws and official launch of the championships will be held on July 6, before the national games officially get underway two days later in Gulu.

Several activities had already taken place by June 12. Kampala Zone held its zonal meeting at Mengo Senior School on June 6, while Luwero Zone conducted its zonal meeting on June 7 in Wobulenzi. Rwenzori Zone also held a teachers' meeting on June 8, while Wakiso Athletics trials took place on June 9 at St Augustine Wakiso.

Bugisu Zone will host its qualifiers at St Joseph's SS Buyaga in Bulambuli on June 19–20, followed by athletics qualifiers at Sironko High School from July 3–5.

Bukedi Zone will stage its qualifiers at Busolwe Secondary School and Mulagi Girls School from June 25–26, while Kigezi schools will compete at Kihihi High School and St Pius Nyamwegabira from June 26–28.

In Acholi, the hosts of the national championships will conduct screening and a zonal meeting on June 26, before qualifiers at Sacred Heart Secondary School and Gulu High School on June 27–28.

Wakiso Zone, regarded as one of the most competitive regions in the country, will start Set A qualifiers involving football, basketball, dancesport, woodball, netball and handballon June 15 at Mbogo Mixed Secondary School and Mwererwe Secondary School.

Mukono Zone will begin volleyball, handball and netball qualifiers on June 19, before football and basketball competitions in Buikwe from June 26–28.

USSSA has also unveiled revised athletics and cross-country regulations, introducing hurdles and steeplechase among the new events.

The regulations require all athletes to be bona fide students registered under names appearing on their academic documents and in the USSSA system.

Each zone will field a maximum of 50 athletes at the national championships—comprising 25 boys and 25 girls.

The new guidelines also place greater emphasis on safeguarding, with each team required to have a safeguarding officer, qualified coaches and a female chaperone.

Mugisha believes the reforms will improve the quality of competition and athlete welfare.

"Our responsibility is to provide a safe and competitive environment where young people can discover and develop their talents. These reforms are aimed at improving standards while maintaining fairness and integrity in school sports," he said.

However, Lango Zone had not submitted its programme by the time the final schedule was released.

Hundreds of student-athletes are expected to participate in football, basketball, volleyball, netball, handball, athletics, dancesport, woodball and mind games during the qualification process, as schools chase places at the national championships in Gulu City.