St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School, Kitende delivered a commanding statement of intent to storm into the final of the USSSA National Netball Championship after dismantling St Noa Girls Secondary School 26-17 in a high-stakes semifinal clash in Gulu City.
The victory not only confirmed Kitende’s return to the championship’s grand stage but also sealed their qualification for the forthcoming FEASSA Games slated for August 12–22 in Morogoro, Tanzania, alongside fellow semifinalists Buddo SS, Hamdan Islamic SS, and St Noa Girls.
Attention now shifts to a tantalising final against reigning champions Buddo Secondary School, who edged Hamdan Islamic Secondary School 22-19 in a tightly contested semifinal to keep their title defence alive.
Kitende’s path to the final has been defined by authority and tactical discipline. Having brushed aside Light College Katikamu 28-16 in the quarterfinals, they carried that momentum into the last four with a polished, controlled performance that left St Noa chasing shadows for large spells of the contest.
From the opening whistle at Gulu High School grounds, Kitende asserted control, dictating tempo and maintaining territorial dominance. Their early efficiency laid the foundation for a 15-9 halftime advantage, a cushion they expertly managed before stretching it to a nine-goal margin at full time.
At the heart of their dominance was the imposing presence of shooter Angelina Nyemok, whose clinical finishing under the post once again proved decisive. Supported by Basalirwa Hadijah, the shooting circle operated with precision, converting possession into points with remarkable consistency.
The engine room, marshalled by Fatumah Namwanje and Rahmah Namuyomba, ensured a steady supply line into attack. Their vision and accuracy disrupted St Noa’s defensive setup, keeping the opposition under sustained pressure throughout the encounter.
Equally pivotal was Kitende’s defensive resilience. The pairing of Scovia Nabuyondo and Teopista Acen executed a near-flawless containment strategy, neutralising St Noa’s attacking threats led by Jamirah Nansimbe and Trisha Nalumansi.
Their interceptions and positional discipline forced St Noa into prolonged build-ups, often requiring multiple passes before accessing the shooting circle.
For St Noa, who reached the championship through a successful petition against Kyantamba Secondary School, the semifinal proved a step too far. Despite moments of resilience, they never seized control, with Kitende maintaining a firm grip on proceedings from start to finish.
Elsewhere, Buddo SS booked their place in the final after seeing off Kibuli SS 23-16 in the quarterfinals before overcoming Hamdan Islamic SS in the semifinals. Hamdan had earlier edged Greenlight Islamic SS 20-18 to reach the last four, while St Noa progressed after a narrow 24-23 victory over Katende Progressive.
With pedigree, momentum, and history colliding, the stage is now set for a classic finale as Kitende and Buddo renew their rivalry in pursuit of national school netball supremacy.
Results Summary
Quarterfinals
Kibuli SS 16-23 Buddo SS
Light College Katikamu 16-28 St Mary’s Boarding SS, Kitende
Katende Progressive 23-24 St Noa Girls SS
Greenlight Islamic SS 18-20 Hamdan Islamic SS
Semifinals
Buddo SS 22-19 Hamdan Islamic SS
St Mary’s Boarding SS, Kitende 26-17 St Noa Girls SS
Final
Buddo SS vs St Mary’s Boarding SS, Kitende
