The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has formally set the stage for its 2026–2030 leadership transition, unveiling a detailed, three-tier electoral framework that will culminate in the election of a new national executive on August 1, 2026.
The guidelines, launched on Wednesday at GNS Plaza in Old Kampala, signal the start of a nationwide democratic process spanning district, zonal, and national levels.
The event was presided over by President Emeritus Patrick Okanya, with representation from USSSA leadership including Apolot Harriet on behalf of the president, Chief Executive Officer Christopher Banage, members of the Electoral Commission, and the Executive Committee.
Phased Electoral Process
USSSA’s roadmap adopts a bottom-up approach, beginning with district elections before progressing to zonal and ultimately national polls. Voting at all levels will be conducted by secret ballot, with winners determined by a simple majority.
District Stage Opens July 20
The electoral cycle will commence on Monday, July 20, with district-level elections held at respective district headquarters between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
Each secondary school will be represented by two delegates—the Headteacher and Games Teacher, or their designated representatives.
Eligibility is restricted to professional teachers from institutions that actively participated in USSSA activities and are duly registered on the association’s online system for both 2025 and 2026.
Positions at this level include chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, organizing secretary, secretary for women, and three committee members, alongside an ex-officio representative from the Association of Secondary School Headteachers in Uganda (ASSHU).
The nomination window will run from July 3 to July 16, with submissions accepted between July 10 and July 16. Verified candidate lists will be published on July 18.
Zonal Elections Follow on July 25
Attention will then shift to zonal elections scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at designated venues to be communicated by the Returning Officer.
Each district will field a maximum of five delegates drawn from its executive committee.
The zonal structure mirrors district leadership positions, with the addition of coordinators for various sports disciplines.
Nominations will take place between July 20 and July 23, with candidate lists displayed on July 24.
National Assembly Set for August 1
The process will culminate in the national elective assembly on Saturday, August 1, at USSSA headquarters in Old Kampala.
Delegates from Buganda, Eastern, Northern, Kampala, and Western regions will elect the association’s top leadership.
Positions up for contest include president, first, second and third vice presidents, secretary for women, and regional representatives.
National nominations will run from July 25 to July 29, with final candidate lists published on July 30.
Strict Eligibility and Voting Protocols
USSSA has instituted stringent eligibility criteria to safeguard the integrity of the process.
All candidates must be registered, professional secondary school teachers attached to Ministry of Education and Sports-recognized institutions.
Notably, candidates for chairperson, vice chairperson, and treasurer at district and zonal levels must be substantive headteachers or school directors holding at least a degree in education.
Secretary roles are reserved for practicing classroom teachers, while the secretary for women position is exclusively for female candidates.
The association has prohibited proxy voting, emphasizing that each delegate will cast only one vote.
In the event of a tie, up to three rounds of voting will be conducted, after which a winner will be determined by drawing lots if deadlock persists.
Electoral Oversight
The entire exercise will be supervised by the USSSA Electoral Commission under the stewardship of Joseph Okodeu Opio, tasked with ensuring a transparent and credible process as the association ushers in a new leadership cycle.
With clear timelines, defined eligibility thresholds, and a decentralized voting structure, USSSA’s electoral framework reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen governance and accountability within school sports administration across Uganda.
