The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has officially launched its Weekend League in Kambuga Zone, Kanungu District, in an initiative aimed at expanding access to school sports and providing students with more opportunities to compete beyond the association’s national sports calendar.
The launch, held at Bishop Comboni College in Kanungu, attracted eight participating schools and was graced by USSSA Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mugisha Banage, Bishop Comboni College Headteacher, Brother Katushabe Innocent and the Kanungu District Sports Officer Robert Areinitwe
Brother Katushabe Innocent, Headteacher Bishop Comboni College Kambuga
The Weekend League is part of USSSA’s broader strategy to promote mass participation in sports, identify emerging talent and provide students with additional playing time throughout the year, beyond the competitions scheduled on the national sports calendar.
Speaking at the launch, USSSA CEO Christopher Mugisha Banage applauded the Kambuga Zone leadership for bringing the initiative closer to the people, emphasising its importance in promoting unity among schools, identifying sporting talent and creating more opportunities for students to develop their abilities through regular competition.
USSSA CEO Christopher Mugisha Banage addressing the teams.
Banage highlighted the importance of taking sports activities closer to schools and communities, noting that the Weekend League would strengthen grassroots sports development while giving more learners an opportunity to participate in organised competitions.
As part of its support for the initiative, USSSA provided footballs to the participating teams and pledged to support the winning teams with trophies. The association also committed to providing further assistance in the technical department to strengthen the organisation and delivery of the league. The support reflects USSA’s commitment to ensuring that the Weekend League becomes a sustainable platform for school sports development, with participating schools benefiting from improved opportunities to train, compete and nurture their sporting talent.
Team representatives receiving the balls.
The Kanungu District Sports Officer, Robert Areinitwe reaffirmed the district’s commitment to promoting sports development from the grassroots level. The officer applauded USSSA’s mission of promoting mass participation in sports, observing that the approach has played an important role in developing athletes who have progressed to compete at national level.
The officer further recognised the value of school sports in identifying talent at an early stage and providing young athletes with a foundation for future sporting success.
Kanungu District Sports Officer Robert Areinitwe addressing students, teachers and officials at the Launch.
In a further boost to young people interested in sports media, two students Amutuheire Modern and Turyatunga Goddie, senior six students at Bishop Comboni College who served as stadium announcers during the launch were awarded slots for fully facilitated USSSA capacity-building training in media scheduled for December. The gesture recognised their contribution to the event while opening up opportunities for them to develop their communication and sports media skills.
The inclusion of media training opportunities also highlights the wider role of the Weekend League in developing skills beyond the playing field, allowing students to explore other areas of sports administration and communication.
L-R: Turyatunga Goddie , Christopher Mugisha , USSSA CEO and Amutuheire Modern.
The Kambuga Zone launch is part of USSSA’s ongoing efforts to extend the Weekend League across the country, with the association working towards reaching schools in every district.
Through the initiative, USSSA seeks to strengthen grassroots participation, promote healthy competition among schools and create a pathway through which talented students can be identified and developed.
With the league continuing to spread to more communities, USSSA remains focused on bringing school sports closer to learners while supporting the development of athletes and other sports personnel across the country.
As part of the engagement, the USSSA Secretariat Football Team played a friendly match against staff of the host school, securing a 1–0 victory. The match fostered unity and strengthened the relationship between games teachers and the USSSA Secretariat through sports.
