The Uganda Secondary School Sports Association (USSSA) has introduced significant changes to secondary school sports, aiming to make the sector more inclusive, structured, and compliant with national sports policy.
The reforms include new age categories, transfer regulations with financial costs, and the rollout of weekend leagues.
USSSA President Justus Mugisha explained that the changes are designed to accommodate all learners in secondary schools, in line with the National Sports Act.
“We have made these institutional changes to accommodate all learners in secondary schools, in line with the National Sports Act,” Mugisha said.
The new age categories are:
– Under 20: accommodating players aged 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20
– Under 17: for players aged 15, 16, and 17
– Under 15: comprising players aged 13, 14, and 15
Mugisha emphasized that the new framework ensures no age group is left out of competitive sports.
The Association has also introduced transfer regulations with financial charges to strengthen administrative capacity and safeguard student-athletes and schools.
“The introduced transfer fees will help the Association run its administrative work.
If you are requesting a transfer, it means you truly need that player.
We are trying to protect both the players and the schools that nurture them,” Mugisha said.
To promote talent development, USSSA has introduced weekend leagues, organized at zonal and district levels, involving schools within close proximity to minimize transport costs.
“Children can only improve their talents when they are on the field,” Mugisha noted.
New sports disciplines, including Cricket, Baseball, and Softball, Golf, Kabaddi, Kho Kho, and Pickleball, will feature as demonstration events during the 2026 Ball Games II Championship in Gulu.
