Fresh from a successful 2026 edition, focus has swiftly turned to the future after Kaddugala Secondary School was officially confirmed as hosts of the 2027 UMEA Solidarity Games.
Founded in the early 1980s under the Uganda Muslim Education Association, Kaddugala Secondary School became a government-aided institution in 1984 with a mission to advance Muslim education in the region.
Located in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City, along the Masaka–Kampala highway, the school now stands on the brink of staging one of the country’s most prestigious school sports events.
The announcement follows the successful climax of the 2026 games at Nkoma Secondary School, with UMEA executives confirming Kaddugala as the next host in what marks a significant milestone in the school’s history.
“AWARD OF HOSTING RIGHTS FOR UMEA SOLIDARITY GAMES 2027
Greetings from the Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA).
I am pleased to inform you that your school has been awarded the hosting rights for the UMEA Solidarity Games 2027. This decision recognizes your school’s commitment to the development of school sports, as well as its outstanding contribution to UMEA competitions.
In preparation for this prestigious event, your school is required to ensure the following:
Separate adequate accommodation for both male and female athletes.
Provision of security to safeguard property, lives of all participants and guests throughout the games.
Operation of a functional sickbay, with arrangements for emergency referrals to nearby medical facilities.
Securing properly marked playing fields and courts prior to the games.
Provision of appropriate meals for athletes and officials during the event period.
Kindly note that your school is granted six (6) months from the date of this communication to present verifiable evidence of satisfactory preparations in line with the above requirements.
The UMEA Sports Committee shall conduct an inspection to confirm readiness and advise on any necessary adjustments thereafter.
We congratulate your school on this achievement and look forward to a collaborative effort in hosting yet another successful edition of the UMEA Solidarity Games.” reads the letter from UMEA.
Kaddugala’s growing reputation as a capable host is further reinforced by its recent staging of the 2026 Netball Uganda National Rally, a showcase that demonstrated its readiness for high-profile competitions.
Under the leadership of headteacher Yahaya Ssengabi, the school has undergone a rapid transformation, emerging as a key attraction within the education and sports sectors.
Speaking exclusively after securing the hosting rights, Ssengabi described the development as both historic and transformative:
“It being the first time in the History of the school, it’s a great achievement and pleasure to see that everyone can put the trust and has confidence in us. It has already shown that the schools’ status has already changed positively.
As a head teacher, it has added a lot to my carrier since It is going to open up the doors of the school and myself to the outside world.
School infrastructure is going to improve, the students’ population will automatically improve.
When the news came into everyone’s ears that we had been given hosting rights we started looking at the remaining period as being very long due to the excitement that the school community has.
Currently we have intensified prescriptions and by the December this year, we shall be at 95% ready.”
Beyond institutional pride, Ssengabi emphasized the far-reaching socio-economic impact the games are expected to deliver to Kaddugala and Masaka City:
“We expect the games to unlock meaningful economic opportunities for both Kaddugala and the wider Masaka area.
With over 3,000 visitors anticipated, demand for accommodation, hospitality, and retail services will significantly increase, stimulating business activity across the community.
The city will also benefit from increased revenue through taxes, parking fees, and vendor-related income. Beyond economics, the tournament will provide vibrant entertainment through sports, leaving a lasting impact on the area.
It will further create a rare opportunity for the local Muslim community to engage with its leadership, including the patron, Al Hajji Kassim Nakibinge.
Ultimately, the event will boost household incomes as residents take advantage of new business opportunities and services for visitors.”
The 2027 edition is projected to attract over 2,000 student-athletes, 700 officials, and 200 administrators, underlining the scale and significance of the annual gathering that unites Muslim-founded institutions across the country.
Disciplines featured in the 2026 edition—football, netball, volleyball, handball, badminton, table tennis, chess, and scrabble—are expected to return, with additional sports likely to be introduced as the event continues to expand.
With preparations already underway, Kaddugala Secondary School now carries both the responsibility and opportunity to deliver an edition that could redefine its legacy while catalysing economic and social transformation across Masaka.
