The 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) U17 Netball Championship burst into life in emphatic fashion at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono, as Madina Islamic Secondary School and St. Mary’s Boarding Secondary School–Kitende delivered commanding opening-day performances.
Following the teams’ arrival on Wednesday, the highly anticipated championship threw off on Thursday with five fixtures that immediately signaled the intensity and quality expected throughout the tournament.
Madina Islamic wasted no time asserting their title credentials, dismantling St. Kizito SS in a one-sided 33–06 victory.
Their clinical display, marked by defensive solidity and sharp shooting, sets a strong early tone for their campaign.
Equally impressive were St. Mary’s Kitende, who produced a ruthless performance to dispatch St. Francis-Busunjju 37–05.
The perennial contenders demonstrated cohesion and attacking efficiency, underlining their status as one of the teams to beat.
Elsewhere, Mubende Light College registered the biggest winning margin of the day with a resounding 29–04 triumph over Mariam High School, exposing gaps in their opponents’ setup with relentless pressure and precision.
Bulo Secondary School also made a bold statement, sweeping aside Iganga S.S 31–05 in a dominant outing that showcased their depth and discipline.
The only closely contested fixture of the day saw JORI and Ediofe play out a thrilling 23–23 draw, offering spectators a balanced and fiercely competitive encounter.
A total of 36 teams are competing in the championship, distributed across six groups of six, with the race for knockout qualification already gathering momentum.
Action resumes on Friday, May 1, as teams seek to consolidate early gains or recover from opening setbacks, with the tournament set to climax on May 8.
Day One Results:
St. Mary’s Kitende 37–05 St. Francis-Busunjju
Madina Islamic 33–06 St. Kizito SS
Mubende Light College 29–04 Mariam High School
JORI 23–23 Ediofe
Bulo S.S 31–05 Iganga S.S
With such a commanding start, the championship promises a compelling battle for supremacy in the days ahead.
