Share this article

Uganda clinched its third consecutive championship at the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games. The 10-day sports extravaganza, which gathers the best school talents from the region, ended on a high note, marking yet another victorious moment for Uganda in the regional sports arena.

Uganda’s dominance was evident from the tally, with an impressive haul of 17 gold medals. This overwhelming performance dwarfed the achievements of their closest competitors, Kenya, who managed to secure eight gold medals. Notably, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda didn’t manage to clinch a single gold medal across the 14 disciplines present in the competition.

Esteemed institutions like St Mary’s Kitende, Buddo SS, Kibuli SS, and Kakungulu Memorial led the medal charge, reinforcing Uganda’s athletic supremacy in the region. This win marks Uganda’s third consecutive FEASSSA title, having previously emerged victorious in the 2019 and 2022 Arusha games. In the tournament’s two-decade history spanning 20 editions, Uganda has now clinched the title four times, while Kenya, the arch-rivals and record holders, have claimed it 16 times.

Kitende were among the biggest winners, having won four titles including in boys’ football, their 14th title, which they defended by beating debutantes Amus College 4-2 on penalties after coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 after full-time in a tense final.

Kitende maintained their position by winning the girls’ 3×3 basketball championship and also clinched the basketball title by defeating Rwanda’s GS Marie Rennie 55-47. They also secured their fourth title by holding onto the netball championship, overcoming St Noa 41-36.

Buddo SS held onto both the boys’ 3×3 basketball and the boys’ basketball championships, besting Rwanda’s St Bernadette with a 90-67 score.

Uganda’s Kibuli celebrated gold wins in both boys and girls table tennis. Additionally, Kibuli boys secured a badminton gold, and Mbogo SS took home the girls’ gold.

In the swimming competitions, Uganda took all the gold medals. The girls’ handball gold was claimed by Kawanda SS, while Kakungulu Memorial triumphed in the boys’ section. Kakungulu also held onto the boys’ hockey championship by defeating Kenya’s Musingu 1-0. St Mary’s Kisubi emerged victoriously in boys’ rugby 15s.

An impressive 17th gold for Uganda was achieved by Kawempe Muslim in girls’ football. Standing in for the qualified Rines team, they outplayed Kenya’s top team, Wiyeta, with a 2-0 score, thanks to goals from Shakila Nyinagahirwa and Hadijah Nandago, right before the event’s conclusion.

The exhilaration doesn’t stop here for Uganda, as the nation was chosen to host the 21st edition of the FEASSSA Games. Although the host city is yet to be announced, the country is gearing up to welcome the best of East African school sports talent next year.

This continued success positions Uganda as a formidable force in regional school sports, and with the upcoming home advantage in the next edition, they will be the team to watch.