The 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Netball Championship has burst into life with dramatic twists, headline upsets, and high-quality contests, as the Round of 32 delivered a compelling prelude to the knockout stages in Gulu City.
The standout narrative of the day was scripted by debutants Kyantamba Secondary School, who produced a sensational 25-24 victory over tournament heavyweights St Noa Girls Secondary School.
In a pulsating encounter at Gulu High School, Kyantamba’s shooting duo held their composure under immense pressure, converting decisive chances with clinical precision to eliminate one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Their reward is a tantalising Round of 16 showdown against Kampala champions Baptist High School, who underlined their own title ambitions with a commanding 29-17 triumph over St Charles Lwanga Kasasa.
Baptist’s blend of structure and attacking efficiency sets the stage for what promises to be a gripping, high-stakes contest.
Elsewhere, Kayunga District champions Namagabi Secondary School secured their place among the last 16 after edging Light High School Sseguku 22-17 in a tightly contested fixture.
Demonstrating composure in the closing stages, Namagabi now turn their attention to another stern test against Kibuli Secondary School, who narrowly saw off Kajjansi Progressive 23-22 in one of the round’s closest encounters.
Defending champions Buddo Secondary School sent out an early warning to their challengers with a ruthless 39-10 dismantling of Munta Royal College, reaffirming their status as serious contenders for the crown.
They will next face Ngando Secondary School, who overcame St Jerome 24-19.
One of the most fiercely contested ties of the day saw Kaduggala Secondary School grind out a 17-15 victory over Greenlight Islamic Secondary School in what many observers labelled the match of the day.
Kaduggala held their nerve in a tense finish, while Greenlight’s usually dependable shooter, Korea, endured an uncharacteristically difficult outing.
However, the result remains provisional, with Greenlight lodging a formal petition to USSSA over the alleged fielding of an ineligible player by Kaduggala.
Tournament organisers are yet to deliver a ruling, leaving that Round of 16 slot delicately poised.
Other notable results included Hamdan Islamic’s 26-17 win over Bulo Parents, Kawanda Secondary School’s emphatic 35-11 victory against Yomako, and Light College Katikamu’s 28-21 success over Lugazi Homeland College.
Masindi Army also impressed with a 25-14 triumph against Blessed Sacrament Kimanya, while Nile Citizen (29-13 vs Arua Public) and Kasawo Secondary School (19-18 vs Merryland) advanced with confidence. St Mary’s Kitende secured progression after defeating Kyotera Parents 23-16.
With momentum building, attention now shifts to Tuesday morning’s Round of 16 fixtures at Gulu High School, where the race for quarter-final places intensifies.
Round of 32 Results
Buddo SS 39-10 Munta Royal College
St Bernard SSS 16-26 Katende Progressive
Ngando SS 24-19 St Jerome
Dynamic SS 22-19 St Francis Busunju
Namagabi SS 22-17 Light High Sseguku
Baptist High School 29-17 St Charles Lwanga Kasasa
Kibuli SS 23-22 Kajjansi Progressive
St Noa Girls Secondary School 24-25 Kyantamba SS
Hamdan Islamic 26-17 Bulo Parents
Light College Katikamu 28-21 Lugazi Homeland College
Kawanda SS 35-11 Yomako
Blessed Sacrament Kimanya 14-25 Masindi Army
Nile Citizen 29-13 Arua Public
Merryland 18-19 Kasawo SS
Kaduggala SS 17-15 Greenlight Islamic
St Mary’s Kitende 23-16 Kyotera Parents
Round of 16 Fixtures
Buddo SS vs Ngando SS
Namagabi SS vs Kibuli SS
Hamdan Islamic vs Kawanda SS
Nile Citizen vs Kaduggala SS/Greenlight Islamic
Katende Progressive vs Dynamic SS
Baptist High School vs Kyantamba SS
Light College Katikamu vs Blessed Sacrament Kimanya
Merryland vs St Mary’s Kitende
