Kibuli, St. Noa pick of the USSSA Ball Games

Kibuli SS ruled the 2025 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Ball Games 1 held in Bukedea and Mbale with five titles from a possible 20.

Bar volleyball, netball, and handball, which had U-16 participants, the games were for U-20 students. Kibuli won gold in both the girls’ and boys’ categories of lawn and table tennis then added another triumph in boys’ badminton to show their prowess in racket games.

“We expected to dominate and we did exactly that as we defended our trophy,” Kibuli’s table tennis captain Parvin Nangonzi said after their matches at Bukedea Comprehensive School (BCS). She beat Mbogo High School (HS)’s Shanitah Namaala 12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6 in the first set of the girls’ final.

Jemima Nakawala took over for Kibuli beating Patricia Nabwire 11-6, 11-4, 11-9 then Mercy Ssentongo completed the job for a 3-0 win by beating Patra Nasirumbi 11-6, 11-4, 11-9.

Their boys also made light work of Mbogo Mixed in boys’ final. They did the same to Ntare and Nabisunsa Girls in the respective boys and girls finals in lawn tennis in Mbale.

In the boys’ badminton final, shortly after Mbogo HS had beaten Rubaga in the girls’ final, Kibuli’s Dennis Mukasa was the first to go up against Kinaawa HS Kawempe’s Frederick Kadoli.

They served an edge of the seat encounter which Mukasa won 21-17, 22-20 before handing over to his captain Akbar Nooh Oduka to counter Kinaawa’s captain Najimu Mboowa.

Oduka powered through Mboowa’s net prowess to win 21-5, 19-21, 23:21 to hand the mantle to Arafat Tendo Kibirige who downed Bruno Agaba 21-6, 21-23, 21-16 for a 3-0 win for coach Joshua Muguluma’s Kibuli.

“We played the best games we have ever played as we vied for the top slot. We lost but they immensely felt the pressure we exerted. They will not be so lucky but for now we return to the drawing board until Feasssa,” Mboowa said.

The other top trophy collectors included the hosts BCS with two U-16 volleyball titles at the expensive of Wampeewo Ntake in the boys’ category and Masheruka Girls. St. Noa Girls School Zana also earned in doubles with triumphs in girls’ basketball and football.

Their first football title since 2022 came in a 5-3 penalty shootout win over 2023 champions Amus College after the sides were tied 1-1 at fulltime.

Victory in twos

That match was the highlight of the closing ceremony held at BCS Stadium but St. Noa felt even much better for winning the basketball trophy after a 50-36 win over St. Mary's Kitende, who had won this title for 12 straight years.

Amus, who hosted basketball in Kachumbala, ensured one trophy stays home as they beat St.Cyprian Kyabakade 57-42 in boys’ basketball.

Kitende, on the other hand, also won the 3x3 girls’ basketball trophy at the expense of Seroma Christian High School. Seeta High School A Level campus topped the boys’ category here beating fellow Mukono sides St. Michael HS and Seroma to gold.

USSSA Ball Games 1 MVPs

Handball U-16

G: Patience Mukisa (Wampeewo Ntaake)

B: Elisha Wesley Humura (Ntare School)

Netball U-16

G: Happy Gloria Lazima – (Kajjansi Progressive)

Volleyball U-16

G: Desire Kigongo (Bukedea Comprehensive)

B: Paul Kato (Bukedea Comprehensive)

Badminton

G: Vivian Nalule (Mbogo High School)

B: Dennis Mukasa (Kibuli SS)

Basketball

B: Abdullah Musa (Amus College)

Basketball 3x3

G: Joviah Anena (St. Mary’s Kitende)

B: Derrick Benson Hause (Seeta HS A’Level)

Football

G: Dorcus Kisakye (Kawempe)

Hockey

G: Nelly Temaiya (Kakungulu Memorial)

B: Deliver Atuhaire (Mbarara High)

Rugby 15s

G: Lawrence Aranit (Seroma Christian High School)

B: Joshua Wakholi (Namilyango College)

Table tennis

G: Jemimah Nakawala (Kibuli SS)

B: Lawrence Ayella (Seroma Christian High School)

Tennis

G: Miranda Thea (Gayaza High School)

B: Jeremiah Musasizi (St Mary’s College Kisubi)