Jinja Secondary School are on the brink of a long-awaited coronation at the 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Girls’ Rugby 7s Championship after a commanding and consistent campaign in Gulu City.
The tournament, staged at Sacred Heart Secondary School with Gulu High School as co-host, has seen Jinja emerge as the standout side in the six-team round-robin format.
Having finished runners-up in both the 2024 and 2025 editions, the Eastern Region giants have now positioned themselves for redemption in emphatic fashion.
Their defining moment came early, dethroning two-time defending champions Nkoma SS with a hard-fought 12-05 victory — a result that effectively shifted the balance of power.
Jinja have since maintained a perfect run, winning all five of their opening fixtures to assert total dominance.
In a dramatic late twist, Jinja’s path to the title has been further cleared after St. Katherine SS (Lira) were rendered unable to compete, with the majority of their squad sidelined through injuries.
The resulting walkover all but confirms Jinja as unbeaten champions, capping a flawless campaign.
On day three, Jinja underlined their authority with a composed 10-00 win over Kitgum Progressive, while Nkoma kept their slim hopes alive with a 10-05 victory against Kijjabwemi SS.
St. John’s Wakitaka also secured a walkover against the injury-hit St. Katherine.
Boys’ Title Race Intensifies as Quarterfinals Take Shape
In the boys’ category, the competition has transitioned into the knockout phase following the conclusion of group-stage action on Sunday, July 12.
Makerere College School and Mbarara High School set the pace, both topping their respective pools without tasting defeat.
Their consistency has marked them out as early favourites heading into the quarterfinals.
Pool C, however, was thrown into disarray after Luigi Giussani High School failed to show up, resulting in Busoga College Mwiri, London College, and Dr. Obote College all being awarded walkovers.
The quarterfinal lineup promises high-stakes encounters, headlined by a fierce clash between London College and Makerere College.
The rivalry between the two sides has intensified in recent months, having met in all four finals of the Central Sevens Circuit organized by the Uganda Schools Rugby Association (USRA), where Makerere claimed victory in three.
Elsewhere, Busoga College Mwiri will battle Kiira College Butiki in an all-Eastern affair, while another compelling Busoga derby sees Mwiri’s regional rivals drawn into high-pressure knockout action away from familiar territory.
Mbarara High face Kijjabwemi SS, and Kabukunge Muslim take on Kitgum Progressive to complete the quarterfinal fixtures.
Selected Day Three Results
Girls
St John’s Wakitaka 20-0 St Katherine SS (Walkover)
Nkoma SS 10-05 Kijjabwemi SS
Jinja SS 10-00 Kitgum Progressive
Boys
St. Kagwa Bushenyi 0-15 Kyambogo College
Makerere College 33-0 Kiira College Butiki
Busoga College Mwiri 20-0 Luigi Giussani (Walkover)
London College 22-0 Dr Obote College
Bugisu High School 22-0 Great Aubrey Memorial College
Kitgum Comprehensive 15-12 Kijjabwemi SS
Kabukunge Muslim 31-0 St Michael
Mbarara High 33-7 Masaka SS
Upcoming Fixtures – Tuesday, July 14
Girls
St. Katherine SS vs Jinja SS
Kitgum Comprehensive vs Kijjabwemi SS
Nkoma SS vs St. John’s Wakitaka
Challenge Trophy (Quarterfinals)
Masaka SS vs Great Aubrey Memorial College
Dr. Obote College vs St. Kagwa Bushenyi
Kyambogo College vs Luigi Giussani
Bugisu High School vs St Michael
Boys’ Quarterfinals
Mbarara High vs Kijjabwemi SS
London College vs Makerere College
Busoga College Mwiri vs Kiira College Butiki
Kabukunge Muslim vs Kitgum Progressive
