Fast-rising handball side Kasawo Islamic Secondary School has laid down a clear and ambitious marker ahead of the 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Championship, scheduled for 8th–19th July at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Gulu.
The Mukono-based institution is targeting a historic quarter-final berth—an achievement that would automatically secure qualification for the 2027 USSSA Elite Games.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, the school’s Sports Director, Umar Kasajjage, reaffirmed the team’s focus and determination:
“Ahead of this year’s National championship in Gulu, our sole target is a quarter-final stage. We want to leave Gulu guaranteed for 2027 USSSA Elite Games slot.”
Introduced in September 2024, handball at Kasawo Islamic SS has experienced a swift and structured rise.
The school made its competitive debut during the 2025 USSSA Mukono District qualifiers, where the girls’ team immediately stamped authority by clinching the district title.
They edged traditional powerhouse St. John’s High School – Kauga 5-4 in a gripping and tightly contested final.
On the boys’ side, Kasawo reached the semi-finals but fell 12-06 to Namakwa Secondary School. However, they bounced back strongly to secure a third-place finish and a bronze medal.
At the Greater Mukono Zone level, St. John’s High School exacted revenge, narrowly defeating Kasawo 6-5 in yet another pulsating final held at Lord’s Meade Vocational Secondary School in Buikwe.
Despite their impressive performances, Kasawo’s national debut was halted by financial constraints, as they failed to travel for the championship in Tororo.
The 2026 season has been equally eventful. Kasawo began their campaign at the UMEA Games hosted by Nkoma Secondary School in Mbale, where both the girls’ and boys’ teams competed in round-robin formats.
The girls finished fifth out of seven teams, while the boys placed fifth in a six-team competition.
Back in the USSSA Mukono District qualifiers, the girls once again reached the final but fell short against rivals St. John’s, losing 20-12.
The boys secured a third-place finish after narrowly losing to Namakwa SS by a single goal in a fiercely contested encounter.
At the zonal level hosted by Seroma Christian High School, Kasawo’s girls suffered yet another heartbreak, losing 6-5 to St. John’s in the final, while the boys exited at the group stage.
Kasawo Islamic SS also demonstrated its growing influence in the sport by hosting the 2026 Uganda Handball Federation Novices Championship.
Kawanda Secondary School emerged champions in the boys’ category, while Wampeewo Ntakke claimed the girls’ title.
Kasawo’s girls finished fourth in a seven-team round-robin format, with the boys placing fifth among six teams.
Preparations for the forthcoming national championship are now in full swing.
The team is expected at the USSSA headquarters at GNS Plaza for pre-tournament screening and verification as they fine-tune their readiness for the Gulu showdown.
With steady progress, resilience, and a clearly defined target, Kasawo Islamic Secondary School heads into the nationals determined to transform promise into tangible success.
