CAF Schools U-15 Qualifiers: Bukedea Comprehensive, St Mary’s Kitende, Bulo Parents Register Opening Day Victories
By Mbuga Swaibu
The 2026 Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Schools Football Championship Under-15 Qualifiers, one of the flagship events under the ongoing Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Ball Games II in Gulu City, got underway on Friday, 10th July, with thrilling encounters as schools began their quest for the coveted ticket to the CECAFA Qualifiers.
Defending champions St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende (SMASK), Bukedea Comprehensive School, Bulo Parents Secondary School, and Amus College School all opened their campaigns with hard-fought victories in the boys’ category.
Kitende Leave It Late
Defending champions St Mary’s Kitende were made to work hard before edging Madinah Islamic Secondary School 1-0 in a tense Group A encounter.
The breakthrough came in the dying moments after Amos Molu calmly converted a penalty, awarded after he had been brought down inside the penalty area, to hand Kitende maximum points in their opening fixture.
Bulo Parents Sink Hopeful Future
In the other Group A fixture, Bulo Parents Secondary School also secured a narrow 1-0 victory over tournament debutants Hopeful Future Secondary School from Kayunga.
With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Akram Tumusiime produced a moment of brilliance, curling home a well-taken free kick with just three minutes remaining to give Bulo Parents all three points.
Bukedea and Amus Claim Narrow Wins
In Group B, Bukedea Comprehensive School edged Buddo Secondary School 1-0 courtesy of a late header from captain Sumaku Mutawakali, who rose highest to connect with a perfectly delivered corner from Denis Josey Nyombi.
Group C witnessed another closely contested affair as Amus College School defeated God’s Way High School Matugga 1-0, thanks to captain Abu Ekiringi, whose solitary strike proved enough to separate the two sides.
Kawempe Muslim Shine in Girls’ Category
In the girls’ competition, Kawempe Muslim Secondary School made a strong statement with a convincing 2-0 victory over Bukedea Comprehensive School.
Star forward Mildred Nambalirwa scored both goals, converting two superb second-half free kicks to inspire the defending champions to a winning start.
Elsewhere, St Noa Girls School Zzana and Amus College School shared the spoils in a goalless draw.
Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Standard High School Ndejje, with Hailat Namuwongo heading home the decisive goal in the final minute of the first half.
Exciting Fixtures Await on Saturday
The competition continues on Saturday with another exciting schedule featuring six boys’ matches and five girls’ fixtures, all to be played at St Joseph’s College Layibi.
In the boys’ category, defending champions St Mary’s Kitende will look to book an early place in the knockout stages when they face fellow Group A winners Bulo Parents Secondary School at 10:00 a.m.
Tournament debutants Hopeful Future Secondary School will be seeking their first points when they take on Madinah Islamic Secondary School, with both sides aiming to bounce back after opening-day defeats.
In Group B, Mukono Zone champions Lugazi Secondary School will begin their campaign against London College Nansana at 9:00 a.m.
Group C action will see St Francis Secondary School Busunju face St Bernard’s College Kiswera in the morning before returning later in the day to play Samson Kalibbala Kamya Secondary School. St Bernard’s College Kiswera will conclude their day against God’s Way High School Maganjo.
In the girls’ competition, God’s Way High School Maganjo will take on Boni Consili Girls Vocational School at 9:00 a.m. in Group B.
Defending champions Kawempe Muslim Secondary School will face Standard High School Ndejje at 10:00 a.m., while Bukedea Comprehensive School takes on Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga at 11:00 a.m.
Group B action resumes in the afternoon with St Noa Girls School Zzana facing God’s Way High School Maganjo at 2:00 p.m., before Lugazi Homestone School concludes the day’s programme against Boni Consili Girls Vocational School at 4:00 p.m.
Road to CECAFA
Upon completion of the group stage, the girls’ competition will advance directly to the semi-finals, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockout stage.
In the boys’ category, the top two teams from each of the three groups will qualify automatically for the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed teams, completing the eight-team knockout bracket.
At the end of the championship, one boys’ team and one girls’ team will be crowned Uganda’s representatives at the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers, where they will battle for a place at the continental finals.