By John Baptist Opua
The 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Boys’ Football National Championship roared to life on 11 May at Lira Town College, pulling in more than 64 schools from across the nine sub‑regions.
Day one delivered 31 fixtures and an astonishing 84 goals, setting the stage for a tournament already brimming with shocks and unpredictability.
The hosts, Lira Town College, were stunned 3-1 by Numasa S.S. from Masaka City, who struck through Hassan Wasswa, Moris Segguya and Fahad Bukenya to silence the home crowd.
Defending champions Buddo S.S. steadied themselves against Teso College Aloet, winning 2-0 thanks to Aron Okello’s early strike and Hillary Tumwine’s second‑half finish.
Mary’s College Kitende and Bukedea Comprehensive North produced the day’s most entertaining clash, ending 1-1 after Uthman Kaaya’s opener was cancelled out by Kitende’s relentless second‑half pressure.
Mentor S.S. made the loudest statement, thrashing Nkoma S.S. 4-0 with Gabriel Ayuen’s brace, Kao’s strike and Alexandria Odongo’s penalty sealing a dominant display.
Elsewhere, Kabalega S.S. held giants Kibuli S.S. to a goalless draw, while Bukedea Comprehensive South powered past PP Newton S.S. 4-1.
With heavyweights tested, hosts humbled and outsiders rising, the opening day confirmed this year’s championship will be anything but predictable.
