By John Wycliffe Musinguzi (USSSA Media Class student)
Students and officials are lauding the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Capacity Building Program, which has already begun yielding positive results. The program, aimed at training students to become coaches, officials, umpires, and media officers, was introduced in 2022 with the goal of developing a new generation of young individuals to handle all USSSA events and activities.
“The USSSA Capacity Building Program has been a game-changer for us. It has provided us with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively contribute to the sports community,” expressed Sarah, a participant and aspiring coach from Kibuli Secondary School. Another participant, Peter, a student from Mbarara High School, shared his excitement, saying, “Being part of this program has been an incredible opportunity. I have learned so much, and it has inspired me to pursue a career in sports officiating.”
In December 2022, the inaugural USSSA Capacity Building Program was held at Kibuli Secondary School, attracting over 500 participants, including students and teachers. The success of the program sparked interest, and it quickly spread across the entire country. Two additional training sessions were subsequently held in Western Uganda at Mbarara High School and in the Teso Zone at Amus College. Patrick Okanya, the Program Chairman and USSSA President Emeritus, commended the dedication of the students and schools involved in the training.
“We would like to thank schools and students who have embraced this training, which is school-government sponsored because they have made it powerful and shining,” he remarked proudly. Regarding the impact of the training program, Okanya emphasized, “Currently, all the games in Kabale have officials who are our products from the December and January training sessions, which empowers us because we have started harvesting fruits.” “From 2025, Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association shall be using its own products to officiate our games, coaches coaching schools, and media officers covering our games will be our products,” Mr. Patrick insisted, outlining the association’s vision for the future.
“Everything we achieve in life starts with hope, faith, self-belief, conviction, including life,” said acting president Hajj Twahill Kiteezaala, as he encouraged students and wished them the best in their endeavors. “Be of good character, personality, values, self-discipline, and self-control participants,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of personal development and responsibility in shaping a successful future.
It should be noted that the instructors training the students are federation coaches and instructors, meaning that the certificates participants receive are from different federations. This creates more opportunities for excelling students, as they gain recognition beyond the USSSA program.
The USSSA Capacity Building Program has proven to be a significant step towards enhancing the quality of school sports in Uganda. By equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge, the program aims to cultivate a new generation of capable coaches, officials, umpires, and media officers, ensuring the sustainability and growth of school sports across the country. “The program has empowered us to actively contribute to the sports community and has opened doors for future opportunities. We are grateful for the USSSA Capacity Building Program,” Sarah added, summing up the sentiments of many participants.