National Boys Football Championship: Wakiso, Teso & Busoga Giants storm semi-finals -

The 2025 USSSA Boys Football Championship in Ngora District has reached its climactic stage, with four powerhouse schools St Mary’s Kitende (SMASK), Buddo SS, Bukedea Comprehensive School (BCS) and Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) storming into the semi-finals after an electrifying round of quarter-final matches.

SMASK 3-0 Kibuli

St Mary’s Kitende, one of the tournament’s most decorated teams, reminded the nation of their pedigree with a commanding 3-0 win over Kibuli SS in the third quarter-final match played on Monday.

The Wakiso-based giants wasted no time asserting dominance, with star striker Claude Wakenge converting a controversial penalty in the 12th minute.

The penalty awarded after a collision with the Kibuli goalkeeper, a decision that sparked heated protests but stood.

Dennis Kisiriko added a second ten minutes into the second half with a clinical finish from inside the box, before Arafaat Nkoola sealed the deal with a thumping header in the 69th minute.

SMASK now faces Busoga region’s Jinja Progressive Academy in a highly anticipated semi-final on Tuesday, May 13.

JIPRA 1-0 Mentor SS

JIPRA became the first school to punch its semi-final ticket after a gritty 1-0 win over high-flying Mentor SS from Lira earlier on Monday.

The match, played before a large crowd against the scenic backdrop of the Ngora hills, was decided by team captain Richard Okello, whose lone strike in the first half proved decisive.

Okello, also captain of Uganda’s World Cup-bound U-17 national team, continues to prove his mettle on the school football scene.

Their path to the semis has been impressive, having earlier eliminated reigning champions St Julian High School with a resounding 3-1 victory in the Round of 16.

Bukedea Comprehensive (8) 1-1 (7) Kyadondo

SSThe most dramatic encounter of the quarter-finals unfolded between Bukedea Comprehensive School and Wakiso’s Kyadondo SS.

After a 1-1 draw in regulation thanks to an early goal from BCS skipper Godfrey Ssekibengo and a late Kyadondo equalizer, the match was decided in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

BCS held their nerves to triumph 9-8, in what was their second shootout win of the tournament. They had previously edged Mvara SS 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in the round of 32.

With momentum and mental resilience on their side, the Teso zone champions now set up a semi-final rematch against Buddo SS, reigniting a rivalry that lit up last year’s edition.

Buddo 1-0 Uganda Martyrs

Buddo SS, another Wakiso zone representative, secured their semi-final slot with a narrow 1-0 win over Kampala zonal champions Uganda Martyrs High School.

In a tense encounter that unfolded simultaneously with SMASK’s clash, Buddo’s defensive discipline and timely attacking play saw them edge through, further bolstering Wakiso’s dominance in the tournament.