By John Wycliff Musinguzi
Team Uganda has officially been flagged off for the 2026 Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSA) Games in Tanzania. The flag-off ceremony was held this afternoon at the National Council of Sports offices, presided over by the Minister of State for Sports, Honorable Peter Ogwang with Uganda set to compete for honours at the regional championship.
Uganda is travelling to Tanzania with a delegation comprising 127 teams from 67 schools, including eight Special Needs Education (SNE) schools and eight primary schools. The delegation comprises 1,304 secondary school participants, 160 primary pupils and 72 SNE students.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, USSSA President Justus Mugisha, 1st Vice President Margaret Harriet Apolot, 2nd Vice President Okot P. Bitek and members of the National Executive Committee, alongside teachers, coaches, officials and members of the Team Uganda delegation.
National Councils of sports General Secretary, Dr. Ogwel Benard congratulated USSSA on its achievements over the previous years and urged the athletes to represent the country with pride.
“I want to congratulate the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association for the achievements it has made over the previous years. Athletes, you are our ambassadors. Go and represent us well.
Senior Education Officer Grace Abalo,thanked the Government for providing students with an opportunity to participate in the Games, while highlighting the financial challenges faced by the association in implementing its programmes.
“I want to thank the Government for giving these kids the opportunity to participate in these Games. I would like to inform the Chief Guest that the finances given to USSSA are no longer enough to cover all the championships and programmes organised by the association.”
USSSA President Justus Mugisha also thanked the Government for its continued support towards school sports and said Uganda is heading to Tanzania with the ambition of defending its regional title.
“I want to thank the Ministry of Education and Sports for the support rendered to us, which has enabled us to win. We are taking these teams to defend the title that we have held for the past five years.”
Mugisha also highlighted the size of the Ugandan delegation and the inclusion of students from secondary schools, primary schools and SNE institutions.
Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, challenged the athletes to use the FEASSA Games as a pathway to national team selection, urging national sports federations to work closely with USSSA in developing young talent.
“As we win the FEASSA Games, I expect the transition of athletes to represent the national teams. From these students, we must get students who are national team material for the next two or three years. All federations must work with USSSA to develop talents.”
Ogwang also cautioned athletes against doping and warned teachers and officials against any involvement in prohibited practices.
“Students, I warn you about anti-doping because you will be banned, and teachers and officials, your punishment is imprisonment.”
He further directed that all buses transporting the delegation must be cleared by the Uganda Police and the Ministry of Works and Transport, while urging everyone involved to follow all travel guidelines, including speed limits and regulations on the number of students carried.
As Team Uganda heads to Tanzania, Ogwang emphasised that the delegation should not travel merely to participate but with the ambition of returning home with medals.
“As you go to Tanzania, Uganda is no longer participating. You have gone to win medals.”
The flag-off marks the beginning of Team Uganda’s journey to Tanzania, where the country’s student-athletes will seek to defend Uganda’s strong record at the FEASSA Games and showcase the depth of talent within Uganda’s school sports system.
