Kabalega Secondary School has won the hosting rights for the 2027 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Football Boys Championship, ending a 12-year wait to host the prestigious schools competition.
“We are very thankful to USSSA for granting us the right to host the National Football Boys Championship 2027.
This comes with great opportunities. First, it will advertise our school. We have had visibility challenges and had gone off the map, but this will put us back on the national scene and return the glory of Kabalega.
Secondly, it will make our school shine. We have been somewhat hidden. With this opportunity, we will bring in our partners to revamp the school infrastructure.
As you noted, we have had infrastructural challenges, but I promise you by January, through our partners, we will have these structures rehabilitated in preparation for the games.
The other opportunity is for our community here in Masindi. The athletes and officials coming will come with money, creating business for the local community and an opportunity for parents who support the school.” Kabalega Secondary School Headteacher Jackson Katusiime.
The Bunyoro-based school emerged as the preferred host following a competitive bidding process conducted by USSSA and the Ministry of Education and Sports, with Mbarara High School named as the standby host.
The hosting awards were announced on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following inspections of applicant schools and formal presentations before a joint panel.
“We are very excited as Old Boys that Kabalega Secondary School will host the USSSA National Boys Football Championship 2027.
We are ready to support the school fully and I am sure next year’s championship will be the best ever organised in the country.” Hon Pius Wakabi Rujumba Member of Parliament Bugaya County and a member of Kabalega Secondary School sports committee.
Highlighting the broader economic opportunities the championship presents for the region, Hon Pius Wakabi Rujumba noted that the tournament would help prepare Bunyoro for the anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) engagements while creating business opportunities for local enterprises.
“This tournament is a precursor for AFCON in Bunyoro. The business community, food vendors, hoteliers and the entire service sector in Bunyoro will benefit immensely.”
For Kabalega, one of the oldest schools in the country, this is a big opportunity to market the school.
As Old Boys, we will mobilize to rehabilitate and upgrade facilities so that the school shines when the tournament comes next year.”
Kabalega’s selection is among five major championship hosting awards for 2027, with the school expected to meet strict requirements on facilities, accommodation, security and medical services before the competition.
Elsewhere, St. Kagwa High School in Bushenyi will host the National Ball Games I and Athletics for the first time, partnering with Bweranyangi Girls Secondary School, which will also make its debut as a host.
Nyakasura School, alongside co-hosts Kyebambe, secured the hosting rights for Ball Games II, while Janan Secondary School Bombo will stage the Elite Games in partnership with Standard High School Zzana, Ndejje Campus.
Seroma Christian High School in Mukono will host the Swimming Championship.
To provide contingency plans, Seroma was named standby host for Ball Games I, while St. Mary’s College Rushoroza will serve as the reserve venue for Ball Games II.
The selection process considered regional rotation, the quality of sporting facilities, accommodation, the anticipated impact on host schools and cities, and additional commitments outlined in the bids.
However, the selected schools must pass a final compliance inspection scheduled for January 2027.
The assessment will be conducted on a pass-or-fail basis, with standby hosts activated if the main hosts fail to meet the required standards.
The Ministry of Education and Sports will issue formal hosting agreements binding the selected schools to the facilities and other commitments made during their bids.
