Five referees who benefited from the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Capacity Building Programme were entrusted with officiating the two semi-finals and the final of the 2026 USSSA Girls’ Football National Championship at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium, events that took place on 2nd and 3rd July 2026.
From December 2022 USSSA has organised a number of trainings across different venues with the inaugural one held at Kibuli SS and National Championships.
Since then the National Championships have been officiated largely by Capacity Building officials and this year’s Ball Games I was no exception.
Speaking to Atwiine Jude after the championship, two of the match officials reflected on their journeys and the opportunities created through the USSSA training programme.
Tugabirwe Anne Maria said the USSSA Capacity Building Programme has played a significant role in her growth as a football referee. She was trained during the 2024 USSSA National Championships in Masaka and has since continued to build her experience having officiated at the 2025 Ball games I in Bukedea and this year’s in Seroma Christian Mukono.
Anne Maria has officiated in several competitions, including the Odilo Primary Schools Championship, Finance Trust Bank Women Super League (Top flight league for Women Football, FUFA Juniors League, the Kampala Regional League, and the FUFA Elite League.
With more than 100 matches under her belt, being selected to officiate the semi-finals and final of the national championship marks another important milestone in her refereeing career.
Akol Mary, another beneficiary of the programme, received her referee training at Kibuli in December 2024 after having undertaken First aid training in the same program a year prior, an essential skill for modern match officials.
Her refereeing résumé continues to grow rapidly. She has officiated at the USSSA National Ball Games.
She was also selected to officiate at the recently concluded CECAFA U-17 Girls’ Championship in Tanzania a championship that Uganda’s Teen Cranes went on to win.
Akol has also officiated in the FTB Super League, FUFA Big League, and Regional Juniors League. Having managed more than 200 matches, Akol described the opportunity to officiate the national championship’s decisive fixtures as both an honour and motivation to continue improving.
Tasked with handling one of the Championship’s biggest matches, Namayanja Patience rose to the occasion with a confident display. She kept the game under control through decisive calls, clear communication, and fair, consistent officiating, contributing to a well-managed final at Kabaka Kyabaggu Stadium.
The appointment of five USSSA-trained referees to handle the tournament’s biggest matches reflects the impact of the association’s capacity-building initiatives, which are equipping young officials with the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience needed to perform at the highest level of school football and beyond.
The other referees selected were Namuddu Cathy and Nalwoga Noeline, further demonstrating the depth of talent emerging from the USSSA referee development programme.
As the standard of officiating continues to improve, the programme is proving to be a valuable pathway for young referees aspiring to national and international football assignments.
