By: John Wycliffe Musinguzi
Amus College School has made history by becoming the first school to win both the boys’ and girls’ titles at the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship Uganda National Qualifiers in the same edition.
The qualifiers, organized by the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), were held during the National Ball Games II from 8th to 16th July 2026 at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Gulu.This year’s championship attracted a record 21 schools, comprising eight girls’ teams and 13 boys’ teams, making it the biggest edition of the competition since its introduction in Uganda in 2023.
The girls’ competition produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets as defending champions Kawempe Muslim Secondary School were eliminated in the semifinals after a convincing 2-0 defeat to eventual champions Amus College. In the other semifinal, 2024 champions St. Noa Girls School defeated Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga 1-0 to book their place in the final.
The boys’ competition was equally competitive. Defending champions St. Mary’s Boarding School Kitende overcame rivals Buddo Secondary School 2-0 to reach a third consecutive final. Amus College, meanwhile, edged Bukedea Comprehensive School 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout after the two sides played out a goalless draw in regulation time.
The finals lived up to expectation.
In the girls’ final, Amus College defeated St. Noa Girls School 1-0 to lift the title and move one step closer to history.
The boys’ final also ended goalless after regulation time. St. Mary’s Kitende had the best chance to win the match but saw a first-half penalty strike the post. The contest was eventually decided by penalties, where Amus College held their nerve to win 5-4 and seal a famous victory.
The double triumph saw Amus College become the first school ever to win both the boys’ and girls’ CAF Africa Schools Football Championship Uganda National Qualifiers in the same year.
The victories earned Amus College the honour of representing Uganda in both the boys’ and girls’ categories at the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers in Rwanda, with dates to be announced.
The tournament also recognized exceptional individual performers. Namuganza Ritah of Amus College was named the Girls’ Most Valuable Player (MVP), while Iteriteka Mignone of St. Noa Girls School won the Golden Glove award. Akurut Irene emerged as the tournament’s top scorer.
In the boys’ category, Joan Bosco Kirema of St. Mary’s Boarding School Kitende was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Amus College goalkeeper Mukasa Stuart Junior claimed the Golden Glove award, while Ddamulira finished as the tournament’s top scorer.
Uganda heads to the CECAFA Qualifiers with an impressive record. The country is the defending boys’ champions, having won the regional title in 2026 after reaching the semifinals in 2025. In the girls’ category, Uganda finished third in 2024 and runners-up in 2025 before missing out on qualification in 2026.
