St. Kagwa High School, Kabalega Secondary School, Nyakasura School, Janan Secondary School Bombo, and Seroma Christian High School are among the selected hosts
KAMPALA, UGANDA – October 29, 2026
The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has announced the schools that will host the 2027 National School Sports Championships, following a competitive bidding process conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The announcement, made by USSSA President Justus Mugisha in Kampala on Thursday, October 29, 2026, confirms the hosting arrangements for the five major national competitions: National Ball Games I and Athletics, the National Football Boys Championship, Ball Games II, the Elite Games and the Swimming Championship.
The selection process involved applications from prospective host schools, joint inspections by officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports and USSSA, formal presentations by bidding schools, and deliberations by a joint panel chaired by the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports.
Schools Awarded Hosting Rights
The following schools have been selected to host the 2027 championships:
1. National Ball Games I and Athletics
St. Kagwa High School has been named the main host, with Bushenyi High School and Bweranyangi Girls Secondary School serving as co-hosts. All three schools are set to host the championship for the first time, marking a new opportunity for the institutions and their surrounding communities to participate in the development of school sports.
2. National Football Boys Championship
Kabalega Secondary School has been awarded the hosting rights for the boys’ football championship. The school will host the competition for the first time in 12 years, bringing one of the country’s biggest school football events back to the institution.
3. Ball Games II
Nyakasura School will serve as the main host, working alongside Kyebambe as co-host. The championship is one of USSSA’s major multi-discipline competitions, bringing together secondary schools from across the country.
4. Elite Games
Janan Secondary School Bombo has been selected as the main host of the Elite Games, with Standard High School Zzana, Ndejje Campus, serving as co-host. The arrangement provides an opportunity for the two institutions to contribute to the organisation of the competition.
5. Swimming Championship
Seroma Christian High School has been awarded the main hosting rights for the 2027 Swimming Championship, continuing its role in hosting national-level school swimming competitions.
Transparency and Clear Selection Criteria
USSSA says the hosting awards were guided by four key principles: regional and zonal rotation, quality of facilities, anticipated impact on the host school and city, and the commitments made in each school’s formal bid.
Under the rotation principle, the association seeks to distribute hosting opportunities across Uganda’s five regions while also promoting rotation among zones within each region.
Facility standards were another major consideration. Host schools are expected to provide suitable competition facilities, student accommodation within schools, and access to hotel accommodation in the host city. Well-maintained playing fields and pitches with effective drainage were highlighted as essential requirements.
The assessment also considered the potential long-term benefits of hosting, including the construction of new playing facilities and stadiums, as well as the renovation and improvement of existing infrastructure.
In addition, the selection panel evaluated the commitments made by bidding schools, including arrangements for feeding, tourism, entertainment and other services outlined in their proposals.
Standby Hosts Identified
To ensure continuity and avoid disruptions to the 2027 championships, USSSA has also designated standby hosts for three competitions. These schools will take over the hosting responsibilities if the main hosts fail to satisfy the required standards.
The standby arrangements are as follows:
- National Ball Games I: Seroma Christian High School, Mukono.
- National Football Boys Championship: Mbarara High School.
- Ball Games II: St. Mary’s College Rushoroza.
The association says the standby system is intended to safeguard the successful delivery of the competitions while ensuring that all selected hosts meet the required standards.
January 2027 Compliance Inspection
Following the announcement, all main host schools will undergo a final compliance inspection in January 2027. According to USSSA President Justus Mugisha, the inspection will be conducted on a pass-or-fail basis.
Schools that fail to meet the stipulated requirements risk losing their hosting rights, with the designated standby institutions activated to take over.
Detailed hosting requirements will be available at the USSSA Secretariat from October 30, 2026. The requirements cover essential areas such as playing surfaces, drainage, accommodation, security and medical services.
The Ministry of Education and Sports will also issue official Host Agreements to the selected main hosts. These agreements will formally bind the schools to the facilities, services and additional commitments presented in their bids.
Hosting as a Catalyst for Sports Infrastructure
The 2027 hosting programme is expected to provide an opportunity for participating institutions to improve their sports infrastructure and strengthen their capacity to stage major school sporting events.
By considering both existing facilities and planned developments, USSSA aims to ensure that hosting the championships delivers benefits beyond the competitions themselves. Investments in playing fields, stadiums, accommodation and other essential facilities can contribute to the long-term growth of school sports and benefit future generations of student-athletes.
Congratulating the successful bidders, Mugisha encouraged schools that were not selected to continue improving their facilities in preparation for future opportunities.
He also thanked the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports and his team, together with the USSSA Executive Committee, for their role in overseeing the selection process.
With the hosting rights now awarded, attention turns to preparations, infrastructure readiness and the January 2027 compliance inspections as Uganda’s secondary schools begin the countdown to another season of national school sports competition.
ENDS
Source: Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), Press Release on the Award of Hosting Rights for the 2027 National Championships, October 29, 2026.
