Buddo Secondary School have emerged champions of the 2025 USSSA Boys’ U-20 football championship after a nail-biting 6-5 penalty shootout victory over fierce rivals St Mary’s Boarding School Kitende.
The final, played on Wednesday, May 14, at Ngora High School Playground 2, lived up to its billing as a high-stakes battle between two of Uganda’s most dominant school football powerhouses.
In a game that saw intense competition but no goals during regulation time, both sides showed tactical discipline, physical resilience, and technical excellence.
With neither team able to break the deadlock, the match was decided from the penalty spot, where each team converted their first five penalties, but Kitende blinked first, missing their sixth kick.
Buddo capitalised, netting the decisive spot-kick to clinch their third national title; their first since 2018.
This win marked sweet revenge for Richard Malinga’s side, who had lost 2-0 to Kitende in the Wakiso Zone final earlier in the tournament last month.
While Kitende entered the final boasting 11 national titles and a legacy of dominance, including three instances of winning the trophy three times in a row, Buddo reminded everyone that they remain a formidable force on their day.
In their road to the final, Buddo overcome Bukedea Comprehensive School 5-4 on penalties after a goalless semi-final.
St Mary’s Kitende, on the other hand, advanced after Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) was disqualified due to crowd trouble and allegations of using ineligible players.
