Meteoric rise of Bukedea into powerhouse

During last year's Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) U20 Boys National Football Championship in Masaka, a moment of panic threatened to derail Bukedea Comprehensive's aspirations.

Their bus driver had mysteriously vanished minutes before a crucial match against Blessed Sacrament Kimaanya.

Without hesitation, then-goalkeeper Humphrey Oyirwoth (now at KCCA) took the wheel, ready to drive his team to the game himself.

Though the driver reappeared shortly after, that indelible moment epitomised the fierce determination and unbreakable spirit that has propelled Bukedea Comprehensive to unprecedented heights.

Bukedea has rapidly ascended to become a dominant force in both local and international school sports within a remarkably short timeframe.

On the international stage, their most significant achievement came in 2024 when they secured a historic bronze medal at the ISF Football World Cup in Dalian, China.

This impressive third-place finish in a global school football competition was particularly notable as the team remained unbeaten in regular time throughout the entire tournament.

Regionally, they have consistently proven their prowess by regularly qualifying for the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) Games. The school has hosted these prestigious regional games, having co-hosted them in 2024.

Bukedea Comprehensive maintains a strong presence in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Games.

In 2025, their boys football team clinched a bronze medal at the USSSA U20 National Football Championship in Ngora, securing their spot for the upcoming FEASSSA Games.

Their role in hosting events during the 2025 USSSA Ball Games I also highlighted their new, advanced facilities.

A key factor in Bukedea's success is its substantial investment in state-of-the-art sports infrastructure. The school boasts a 10,000-seater stadium, a 4,000-capacity indoor arena, and a semi-Olympic swimming pool.

Bukedea Comprehensive employs a strategic approach to talent identification, collaborating with academies like Prosper Academy, conducting extensive trials, and utilizing scouts to recruit promising young players.

The school strongly emphasises balancing sports with academics, leading to numerous student-athletes achieving high scores in national examinations.

This approach has seen Bukedea Comprehensive contribute several players to various youth national teams, including the U17, U20, and U20 CECAFA squads.

Katende an invaluable addition

At the heart of this meteoric rise is Fred Katende 'Malibu,' the Sports Director of the Bukedea Sports Project.

A former media practitioner, football referee and the first Uganda Cranes Media Officer, Katende brings decades of invaluable experience to the school's sports department, which now extends beyond football to include volleyball and basketball.

"In the next two years, we shall have professional clubs at the school," Katende said, outlining the ambitious vision for the project.

He emphasised the school's core mission: "We are giving young boys an opportunity to gain education using their talent."

This commitment tackles a historical imbalance in football.

"Football was largely a Kampala affair in the past, but we're making people aware that there are some upcountry schools that can compete," he said.

He credits Amus College in Bukedea for pioneering this idea, with Bukedea Comprehensive joining to foster competition.

Bukedea's strategy is clear-cut: "Our target is always to excel at the district, region and national games. Our primary target is to get a slot to the FEASSSA games and we have given ourselves five years to win the title. If it comes before that, it will be a bonus," Katende revealed.

Katende's background translates directly into player development.

"I’m trying to bring my experience which I have gathered for the last years. I have covered the national football championship for more than 20 years, and now I bring knowledge on how to manage young players, teach them discipline and instill professionalism," he stated.

He also guides the Games department on match-day programs and helps players understand what it takes to excel on and off the pitch. All players joining Bukedea Comprehensive are taught to portray a positive image of the school.

"We put high expectations on them without putting them under pressure. We ask them to be competitive but also enjoy the game and have experience," Katende added.

The school is developing players for national teams, encouraging competitiveness.

The demanding nature of national championships, with 80-minute games daily for ten days, poses significant challenges for player welfare.

"We play 10 games in 10 days with 20 players. This exposes players to injuries and fatigue. What we tell our players is to kill off the games early to be able to reserve energy," Katende explained.

This strategy, however, didn't prevent late goals from costing them in the Round of 16, and ultimately led to their elimination by Buddo SS on penalties in the quarterfinals of the recently concluded USSSA U20 Boys Championship in Ngora.

Despite this, Bukedea finished third, earning them a place alongside champions Buddo SS and runners-up St. Mary’s Kitende at the upcoming FEASSSA Games.

Talent identification

Bukedea Comprehensive employs a multi-pronged approach to talent identification. They partner with Prosper Academy, which gives them first priority for recruited players; this season alone, ten players, including John Asiimwe, Godfrey Musa, Tony Katangalo, and Hamis Busingye, came from the academy.

Annual trials are also crucial, with last year's Bugolobi trials seeing four players recruited from 400 hopefuls, among them centre-back Tony Ssengendo, midfielder Charles Lwanga, and striker Johnnie Chuol. Local trials in Teso cater to regional interests, with many students allocated to their feeder school, Bukedea Comprehensive North.

Furthermore, the school employs scouts who recommend talented players spotted during national championships.

The overarching recruitment philosophy is simple: "For one to join our team, one needs to be talented and serious about studies. It’s the simplest way to be recruited,” Katende said.

The team trains daily on the school pitch for two hours after 4PM, with weekend friendly matches against neighbouring schools.

Bukedea Comprehensive places immense emphasis on academics. Last year's results speak volumes: girls’ football team members Joyce Mercy Kataike and Fungo Nabude scored 17 points in UACE, Alex Kasule 15 points, while Uganda Hippos players Kisolo and Oyirwoth achieved 14 and 13 points respectively. Volleyball players Claire Najjuko and Davis Katusiime each secured 18 points, with Purity Nekesa on 16 points and James Olinga on 13.

"It’s not easy to have student athletes balance sports and academics. But we push," Katende noted.

He believes the school's distance from urban distractions helps, as "many students find it very expensive to run away from the school. This forces them to keep around school. We help them balance."

A significant factor in their academic success is the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who is also a director of the school, who covers the school fees for all student-athletes after the Board of Directors initially offered only five bursaries.

"On visitation, she comes around to visit them, and she normally sends them pocket money. Most of them are needy students, who need such help," Katende added.

The school currently supports about 250 students on sports bursaries, with boys' football taking the largest share at 96 students, followed by volleyball with 60, and others in girls' football and netball.

Head coach Ronald Ssali, a recruit from St. Mary’s Kitende, leads the team's tactical approach, adapting strategies to opponents.

Bukedea Comprehensive's current national team representation includes Margaret Apio and Jane Aketcho (U17), Innocent Kisolo and Oyirwoth (U20), Godfrey Ssekibengo and Kisolo (U20 CECAFA), and Enock Bagenda and Simon Wanyama (U17).

A part-time statistician analyzes individual performance, helping the team identify areas for improvement.

The strong community connection is evident in the enthusiastic fan base, shared between Bukedea Comprehensive and Amus College, with Mbale supporting Amus and the Town Council rooting for Bukedea.

"We want Bukedea to be the number one sports team in Uganda and East Africa. At the moment, we’re ranked third in the world following last year’s games in China," he said.