USSSA Concludes Inspection of Schools Bidding to Host 2027 National Competitions
The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has concluded an inspection exercise at four schools that expressed interest in hosting various national school sports competitions in 2027.
The inspection followed the successful submission of bids by interested schools and was conducted from Wednesday, October 14, to Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The inspection team was led by Odongo Sammy, Assistant Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports at the Ministry of Education and Sports. He was joined by USSSA Executive Committee members Bithola Francis Ocukune, Makeba Mirima and Kugonza Fred.
The USSSA Secretariat was also represented by a team led by Omaria Bosco, Director of Marketing, IT and Communications, alongside Nsimbi Martin, Nakato Aisha and Kalungi Dennis.
Key Areas of Assessment
The inspection exercise assessed the readiness and capacity of the bidding schools to host national competitions, with particular emphasis on the safety, welfare and convenience of athletes, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.
The team evaluated several critical facilities and logistical arrangements, including playing fields and pitches, accommodation, storage facilities, meeting rooms, parking areas, medical facilities, secretariat offices, media centers, VIP and VVIP areas, hospitality facilities and security arrangements.
Other key considerations included:
The quality and suitability of playing fields and pitches.
Distances between competition venues and the host schools.
The location and availability of warm-up areas.
The number and suitability of accommodation facilities and restrooms.
Availability of secure parking spaces for team buses.
First-aid and treatment facilities for athletes and officials.
Availability of ambulances and emergency response services.
Proximity to hospitals for emergencies.
The inspections covered four schools across different regions, each presenting its bid to host specific national competitions.
Sacred Heart SS, Gulu — Acholi Zone
The inspection team was welcomed to Acholi Zone by the school’s Head Teacher, Sister Hellen Lamunu.
Having successfully hosted the 2026 National Ball Games II, Sacred Heart Secondary School has expressed interest in hosting another national competition in the coming months.
The school has submitted a joint bid alongside neighboring institutions St. Joseph’s College Layibi and Gulu High School to co-host the USSSA Elite Games in 2027.
The Elite games include netball, football, volleyball, basketball 3×3, basketball 5×5 and rugby sevens.
The inspection focused on assessing the suitability of the proposed venues and the capacity of the three institutions to jointly deliver a successful national sporting event.
Kabalega SS, Masindi — Bunyoro Zone
Kabalega Secondary School is seeking to represent Bunyoro Zone in the race to host the 2027 National Football Boys’ Championship.
The school intends to co-host the competition with St. Thereza Girls Secondary School, subject to the outcome of the bidding process.
Bunyoro Zone last hosted the championship in 2011, making the current bid an opportunity for the region to welcome the national schools’ football fraternity once again.
Kabalega SS Head Teacher, Mr. Katusiime Jackson, expressed confidence in the school’s ability to deliver a successful tournament, pledging that the institution would go beyond expectations if entrusted with the responsibility.
The inspection team assessed the proposed facilities and logistical arrangements to establish the schools’ preparedness for hosting the national football championship.
Janan SS, Bombo — Luweero Zone
Janan Secondary School is seeking another opportunity to host the USSSA Elite Games in 2027 after successfully hosting the seventh edition of the competition between February and March 2026.
The school has submitted a fresh bid to stage the games, demonstrating its continued interest in hosting major national school sports events.
The inspection covered Janan SS, Janan Primary School and Standard High School Zana, which are proposed as co-hosting institutions.
The proposed Elite Games disciplines include netball, football, volleyball, basketball 3×3, basketball 5×5, handball and rugby sevens.
The team assessed the facilities across the three institutions, paying attention to the availability and suitability of competition venues and the coordination required to host multiple disciplines across different locations.
Seroma Christian High School, Kyetume — Mukono District
The inspection team was welcomed to Kyetume, Mukono District, by Mrs. Amelia Kyambadde, Resident Director of Seroma Christian High School.
Following its successful hosting of the 2026 National Ball Games I, held between April and May, Seroma Christian High School has expressed interest in hosting the competition again.
The team visited several facilities proposed for the event, including football pitches, basketball courts, volleyball courts, the main hall earmarked for badminton and the dining hall proposed for table tennis. Rugby and hockey competitions are proposed to take place at Namilyango as well as accommodation for the boys.
The school’s bid involves a wider network of institutions whose facilities would be utilised to accommodate the various sporting disciplines. These include Seeta High School campuses at Mbalala and A Campus, Uganda Christian University, Seeta University, Namilyango College, Namilyango Junior Boys, St. Thereza Namilyango Girls, Bishop Secondary School Mukono and Our Lady of Africa Mukono.
The Ball Games I features hockey, table tennis, tennis, badminton, rugby 15s, basketball under-16, basketball 5×5, netball, handball, volleyball under-16, lacrosse, pickleball, softball and athletics.
Given the number of disciplines and the spread of venues across several institutions, the inspection assessed the suitability of the proposed facilities and the coordination required to deliver the multi-sport competition.
Ensuring Readiness for National School Sports
The conclusion of the inspection exercise marks an important step in the process of assessing schools seeking to host USSSA national competitions in 2027.
Through the exercise, USSSA sought to establish the readiness of the bidding institutions, with particular attention to infrastructure, athlete welfare, medical preparedness, security and the overall organization of the proposed events.
The findings of the inspection will inform the assessment of the respective bids as USSSA continues preparations for the 2027 national school sports calendar.
