USSSA Kampala Zonal Qualifiers:Kakungulu Memorial, Kawempe Muslim Edge Closer to Gulu Nationals

By Kayiira Jackson 

Kakungulu Memorial School and Kawempe Muslim Secondary School emerged as the standout performers on the opening day of the 2026 U17 USSSA Ball Games II Kampala zonal qualifiers, keeping their hopes alive of securing places at next month’s national championship in Gulu.

Six teams are competing in the qualifiers hosted at Kibuli SS and Kakungulu Memorial School, with only three slots available for the national finals due to be staged at Sacred Heart Gulu. The tournament concludes on Friday.

Kakungulu Memorial produced a flawless display, winning both of their Group B matches to finish top with a maximum six points. They opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Lubiri SS before dismantling Buziga Islamic 5-0 in their second outing.

Forward Wahid Badru stole the show against Buziga Islamic with a hat-trick, while Kenneth Tumuhimbise and Peter Kambugu also found the back of the net. Earlier, Kenneth Tumuhimbise, Charles Dickens and Ceaser Idi scored in the win over Lubiri SS, with Idi’s spectacular free-kick from the centre circle widely regarded as the goal of the tournament so far.

Lubiri SS goalkeeper Isaac Nduhire endured a difficult afternoon in the defeat to Kakungulu Memorial, with nearly all three goals conceded resulting from costly errors.

Kawempe Muslim SS also impressed in Group A, collecting four points from two matches to finish level with Busaabala Islamic but ahead on goal difference. After settling for a 1-1 draw with Busaabala Islamic, Kawempe Muslim bounced back emphatically with a 4-1 victory over Mengo SS.

Odokonyero Nicolas was the star performer for Kawempe Muslim, scoring three goals across the two matches, including a brace against Mengo SS. Kayiira Rayhan and Musanje Edrine added the other goals, while Ayitema Robert netted Mengo’s consolation.

Busaabala Islamic also ended the group stage unbeaten, drawing with Kawempe Muslim before edging Mengo SS 2-1 to secure a semifinal berth.

Kakungulu Memorial head coach Magala Yassir praised the school’s commitment to youth development after his side topped the group unbeaten.

“It’s great that as a school now we’re developing talent from the grassroots and a special thanks to Hajj Buwembo Jamil, our headteacher, for enabling the team to participate and develop players from as low as U15,” Magala Yassir said.

The semifinals will be played on Friday morning, with Lubiri SS facing Kawempe Muslim at 8am before Kakungulu Memorial take on Busaabala Islamic at 9am. The winners will automatically qualify for the nationals, while the third and final ticket will be decided through a playoff involving the losing semifinalists.

Results

Busaabala Islamic 1-1 Kawempe Muslim SS

⚽ Odokonyero Nicolas (Kawempe Muslim)

⚽ Ssenkusu Martin (Busaabala Islamic)

Mengo SS 1-2 Busaabala Islamic

Kawempe Muslim SS 4-1 Mengo SS

⚽⚽ Odokonyero Nicolas

⚽ Kayiira Rayhan

⚽ Musanje Edrine

⚽ Ayitema Robert (Mengo SS)

Kakungulu Memorial 3-1 Lubiri SS

⚽ Kenneth Tumuhimbise

⚽ Charles Dickens

⚽ Ceaser Idi

Buziga Islamic 0-5 Kakungulu Memorial

⚽⚽⚽ Wahid Badru

⚽ Kenneth Tumuhimbise

⚽ Peter Kambugu

Lubiri SS 1-0 Buziga Islamic

⚽ Own goal (Isaac Katende)

Group A

Kawempe Muslim SS – 4 points

Busaabala Islamic – 4 points

Mengo SS – 0 points

Group B

Kakungulu Memorial – 6 points

Lubiri SS – 3 points

Buziga Islamic – 0 points

Friday Fixtures (U17)

8:00am – Lubiri SS vs Kawempe Muslim SS

9:00am – Kakungulu Memorial vs Busaabala Islamic

Third-place playoff

Final

Other Fixtures

Girls U15 Football

Uganda Martyrs vs Kawempe Muslim SS 

Boys U15 Football

Kakungulu Memorial vs Lubiri SS