By Jude Atwiine
Overview
Uganda will be represented by Kawempe Muslim (Girls) and St. Mary’s Kitende (boys) in a bid to qualify for the finals for the fourth straight time.
Uganda has been confirmed as the host nation for the CAF U-15 African Schools Football Championship 2026 CECAFA Zone Qualifiers slated for 6th to 9th December 2025.
“We are happy to announce that the regional qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone will now be hosted by Uganda from December 6-9th, 2025. This is a very important competition to have the youngsters compete at Zonal level for boys and girls and later, and we thank Uganda for accepting to host the tournament,” explained Sseninde.
The qualifiers will feature 10 boys’ teams and 8 girls’ teams competing for a place at next year’s continental finals.
In the boys’ category, Uganda’s St. Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende (SMASK) has been placed in Group A alongside Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, and South Sudan. Group B will feature Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, and Zanzibar. Only the top two teams from the zone will advance to the continental championship.
In the girls’ category, Kawempe Muslim Secondary School was pooled in Group A, which includes Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda, while Group B features Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Djibouti.
Last year Uganda represented by St. Noa Girls bagged gold at the CECAFA qualifiers before falling to Ghana at the continental show piece settling for silver. On the other hand, St. Mary’s Kitende was second best to Tanzania to qualify for the finals in Accra.
A lot is at stake for this year’s championship with only one slot available for the girls while CECAFA holds two for the boys since Tanzania emerged champions in Accra.
Jean Sseninde acting CECAFA CEO highlighted that In addition to the competition, CAF’s ongoing Capacity Building Programmes will also take place.
These include the Young Reporters Programme, Young Referee Programme, Young Medical Officers Programme, CAF D License Coaching Course and the CAF Safeguarding workshops.