St Mary’s Kitende will represent Uganda at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals, with the tournament set to kick off on 2 April in Harare, Zimbabwe.
CAF confirmed earlier this month that Zimbabwe will host the fourth edition of the competition from 2–10 April, and attention has since shifted to the participating teams as the countdown enters its final stretch.
Kitende will carry Uganda’s flag in the boys’ category, lining up against continental heavyweights including defending champions Tanzania, Senegal, Morocco, and hosts Zimbabwe.
The tournament brings together 16 teams across the boys’ and girls’ categories, featuring zonal champions, the host nation, and invited sides, in what CAF describes as its flagship schools football programme.
Since its launch in 2021 under CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, the initiative has grown rapidly, with more than three million boys and girls from over 82,000 schools across 48 countries taking part.
For Kitende, the stakes go beyond silverware. The competition offers significant rewards, with winners in each category earning USD 300,000, while second and third place teams receive USD 200,000 and USD 150,000 respectively. The prize money is earmarked for development projects at the schools, including sports infrastructure and educational facilities.
CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba recently emphasized the broader vision behind the tournament, stating: “The CAF African Schools Football Championship programme is a strategic investment in the future of African football. Under the leadership of CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, this programme continues to combine sporting excellence with education and capacity building.”
“As we prepare for the Continental Finals in Zimbabwe, including the historic participation of teams from sister Confederations, we reaffirm CAF’s commitment to developing young talent, strengthening institutions and positioning African football competitively on the global stage.”
Alongside the matches, CAF will also run capacity-building initiatives such as workshops for young referees, reporters, coaches, and medical officers, reinforcing the tournament’s focus on holistic development.
