Gombe Soccer Academy and Prostat Soccer Academy emerged as the standout winners at the fourth edition of the Uganda Youth Football Associations (UYFA) Kids Football Festival, as grassroots football took centre stage at Henry Sports Center, Kabalagala, on Saturday.
The festival brought together young footballers from academies across the country, offering them a competitive environment to sharpen their skills, gain exposure and attract the attention of talent developers.
Gombe claimed the Age Nine (A9) crown after a dominant 3-0 victory over Mentor Sports International Academy in the final.
Jeremiah Ruhakana, Joseph Kato and Jacob Kakuru scored for Gombe, who had earlier dispatched Next Generation Sports Academy 3-0 in the semi-finals.
Mentor reached the decider after surviving a tense encounter with Red Sea Sports Academy International, winning 5-4 on penalties following a goalless draw.
Prostat Soccer Academy, meanwhile, secured the Age Eleven (A11) title with a 2-0 triumph over Gombe in the final.
Their championship run included a 3-1 semi-final victory against Telletubies Kids Soccer Academy, while Gombe booked their final berth after overwhelming Red Sea Sports Academy International 5-0.
Beyond the trophies, the festival highlighted the contribution of individuals committed to sustaining Uganda’s grassroots football structures.
Telletubies coach Kato Irish Ashim and Edgars Youth Programme coach Shafic Katamba were recognised for participating in every edition since the festival was launched in 2022.
FUFA Youth Delegate Mansoor Kabugo applauded youth football stakeholders for continuing to invest time and resources in developing the next generation.
“Tournaments like this one can help us develop young football players,” Kabugo said, while thanking stakeholders for trusting the development process.
Individual excellence was also rewarded, with Mentor’s Saidi Abdulrahman named A9 MVP and Prostat’s Godfrey Ssemakula taking the A11 accolade.
Nine academies contested the A9 competition, while 12 featured in A11. Every participating player received a medal and all academies were presented with certificates.
The festival ultimately reinforced the value of consistent grassroots competition in nurturing young talent and creating a pathway towards Uganda’s future football stars.
