Bishop Hannington Mutebi tips students as 2026 USSSA Ball Games 1 kick off in Mukono
Bishop Hannington Mutebi urged students to build discipline and resilience as 2026 USSSA Ball Games 1 officially started in Mukono.
The 2026 USSSA Ball Games 1 in Mukono opened with a message that sports are about more than winning.
Assistant Bishop of the Kampala Anglican Diocese, Bishop Hannington Mutebi, presided over the official opening ceremony at Seroma Christian High School.. In his remarks, he linked participation in sport to real-life growth, highlighting values such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience.. He told students that the effort they put into the games should prepare them for a better future.
Misryoum reports that the competition brings together a large group of student athletes, with 6,558 participants set to take part across 11 disciplines. The scale, organisers say, points to the tournament’s rising role as a platform for nurturing school sports talent.
This kind of opening matters because it frames athletic competition as character-building, not just event-day performance.
Alongside the church leader, the Commissioner for Physical Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Rev.. Canon Dr.. Duncan Mugumya, underlined the government’s support for school sports.. He noted that the Ball Games are included in the Ministry’s calendar and urged officials to maintain integrity and professionalism during the competition.
Stakeholders also attended the launch, including representatives from the National Council of Sports (NCS), ASSHU leadership, and head teachers from participating schools. Their presence reflected a coordinated push to keep school sports moving forward.
Misryoum notes that when schools, regulators, and sports bodies show up together, the tournament tends to run more smoothly and with clearer expectations.
Seroma Christian High School Resident Director Amelia Kyambadde used the occasion to thank partner institutions for the facilities and support that made the event possible.. Among those mentioned were Uganda Christian University (UCU), Namilyango College, Our Lady of Africa, Seeta University, Seeta High School, and Hilton High School.. She also welcomed full delegations from schools across the country.
Before the focus shifted to further matches, the official girls’ football fixture brought a packed crowd to the field as Seroma Christian High School and St Charles Lwanga Kasasa played to a 2-all draw.
As the competition continues, game day three is scheduled for Saturday, 2nd May 2026, with participation across girls’ football, Basketball, Hockey, Table Tennis, Badminton, Tennis, Rugby (15’s), Volleyball (U-17), and Netball (U-17).. Top-performing schools are expected to qualify to represent Uganda at the 2026 FEASSA Games in Morogoro city, Tanzania this August.
Meanwhile, the programme running alongside the games includes a capacity-building track designed to nurture young journalists, referees, and administrators, linking sport with skills that can broaden career opportunities beyond the field.
This wider focus is significant because it helps students and young officials develop confidence, competence, and networks that can last well past the final whistle.