Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
By Kayiira Jackson
The seventh edition of the Elite Secondary School Championships will kick off as scheduled from 13th to 16th February 2026 at Janan Secondary School, Bombo Campus, despite recent changes to the national academic calendar.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Education and Sports announced an adjustment to the reopening dates for schools and other education institutions, pushing the official start of the first term from 2nd February to 10th February 2026. The announcement, made by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kendrace Turyagyenda, sparked concern among stakeholders about the potential impact on school sports activities.
However, organisers have clarified that the change in the academic programme has not affected the kickoff of the Elite Secondary School Championships. The event remains firmly placed on the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) sports calendar, with all preparations progressing as planned.
The invitational championship will bring together the top eight schools per discipline that qualified at the 2025 National Secondary Schools Championships. Competition will be held in football, volleyball, basketball 5×5, basketball 3×3, rugby 7s and netball, with both boys’ and girls’ categories featured in all disciplines except netball, which will be for girls only.
Participation is restricted to bonafide students eligible under the 2025/2026 USSSA General Rules and Regulations, with clear registration timelines and provisions for replacement of schools where necessary.
By maintaining the original dates, USSSA has underlined its commitment to keeping the elite competition programme intact, ensuring continuity for schools that have prepared for months to compete at the highest level.
The championship follows the sixth edition held at St. Joseph of Nazareth, Kavule, Mpigi, in February 2025, and is expected to once again showcase the best secondary school sporting talent in the country, unaffected by the recent academic calendar adjustment.
