The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has officially embarked on a comprehensive preparation programme ahead of Uganda’s participation in the 23rd Edition of the Federation of East Africa School Sports Association (FEASSA) Games, with the first preparatory meeting successfully held on Wednesday, 22nd July 2026.
The important engagement took place at the USSSA Offices in Old Kampala and brought together games teachers, school administrators, and representatives from institutions that successfully qualified to represent Uganda at the prestigious regional championship.
The meeting provided a vital platform for stakeholders to review preparations, address key requirements, and establish a clear roadmap that will guide Team Uganda’s journey to Morogoro, Tanzania.
The meeting was chaired by USSSA President Justus Mugisha, who emphasized the importance of proper planning, teamwork, and commitment from all participating schools. The discussions were also enriched by remarks from Rev. Dr. Canon Duncans Mugumya, Commissioner for the Department of Physical Education and Sports at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who encouraged schools to uphold discipline, professionalism, and national pride throughout the championship.
The 23rd FEASSA Games are scheduled to take place in Morogoro, Tanzania, from 12th to 23rd August 2026, bringing together the finest school sporting talents from across East Africa. The championship will provide a valuable opportunity for young athletes to showcase their abilities, promote regional unity, and strengthen the role of sports in education and youth development.
Detailed Programme Released Ahead of the Championship
During the meeting, USSSA presented the official programme for the Games, outlining the key activities leading up to, during, and after the competition. Participating teams are expected to arrive in Morogoro on 12th August 2026, allowing time for registration, accreditation, and final preparations before the official start of competition.
The competitive action will run from 13th to 22nd August 2026, during which teams from across East Africa will compete for honours in various sporting disciplines. The championship will officially conclude with the departure of participating delegations on 23rd August 2026 after what is expected to be a celebration of talent, sportsmanship, and regional cooperation.
Before the journey to Tanzania, Team Uganda will receive a national send-off during the official flag-off ceremony scheduled for 8th August 2026.
The event will mark a significant milestone as Uganda’s representatives receive encouragement and support before embarking on their mission to compete against the best school teams in the region.
According to the travel schedule released during the meeting, the Ugandan delegation will depart Kampala on 9th August 2026 through Masaka before proceeding to the Mutukula Border crossing.
The team will then make a stopover in Kahama, Tanzania, on 10th August before continuing to Morogoro, where they are expected to arrive on 11th August, one day before the official commencement of the Games.
FEASSA Games Set to Showcase Wide Range of Sporting Talent
The 23rd FEASSA Games will feature an exciting programme comprising 21 sporting disciplines, giving thousands of young athletes across East Africa an opportunity to compete, develop their skills, and create lasting sporting memories.
The disciplines on the programme include football, volleyball, handball, hockey, athletics, badminton, lawn tennis, table tennis, swimming, basketball 3×3, basketball 5×5, rugby sevens, rugby 15s, chess, scrabble, beach soccer, beach volleyball, lacrosse, netball, cricket, and cross country.
The inclusion of a wide range of sports reflects FEASSA’s commitment to promoting holistic development among learners by providing opportunities for both traditional and emerging sporting disciplines. The championship continues to serve as an important pathway for identifying and nurturing young talents who may go on to represent their countries at higher levels.
Participation Guidelines and Team Quotas Clarified
During the preparatory meeting, participating schools were guided on the official participation quotas established by FEASSA member countries. The guidelines are intended to ensure fair representation while maintaining proper organisation and management of the championship.
The host nation, Tanzania, will have the opportunity to field a maximum of four teams per event, while all other member countries will be allowed a maximum of two teams per event. However, special consideration has been provided for hockey, rugby, and netball, where countries will be permitted to enter up to three teams.
Countries with defending champions in particular events will also be entitled to enter one additional team in those respective disciplines, except in athletics and swimming. Any country seeking to exceed the allocated quotas must submit an official request to the FEASSA Secretary General by 25th July 2026 for consideration.
Comprehensive Preparation Roadmap Adopted
The meeting approved a detailed preparation roadmap aimed at ensuring that all participating schools complete their requirements within the set timelines.
The first preparatory meeting on 22nd July marked the beginning of the final phase of preparations, including confirmation of participating teams.
The replacement of teams, where necessary, will take place on 23rd July, followed by final payments and clearance procedures from 23rd to 31st July. Schools were encouraged to complete all financial and administrative obligations within the given period to avoid last-minute challenges.
The second FEASSA preparatory meeting is scheduled for 4th August, when schools will also submit final team lists, vehicle details, and information regarding officials travelling with the delegation.
FEASSA will conduct draws for all participating countries on 5th August, while official team apparel, uniforms, and kits will be distributed on 6th August.
Schools Reminded on Mandatory Travel Requirements
USSSA reminded all schools and officials that proper documentation will be a key requirement before departure. Participants were urged to begin preparing their documents early to ensure a smooth accreditation and travel process.
The required documents include passports or travel permits where applicable, yellow fever vaccination certificates, valid school identity cards, two passport-size photographs with names written on the reverse for participants without passports, valid driving permits for drivers, third-party insurance for vehicles, completed medical forms, signed consent letters, accreditation cards, and official school letters listing all participants and officials travelling.
All schools were further reminded that vehicles transporting teams must meet safety requirements by having fire extinguishers, reflectors, and first aid kits. Original vehicle logbooks must also be available for verification before departure.
Discipline and Professionalism Remain Key Priorities
The meeting placed significant emphasis on maintaining discipline, unity, and professionalism throughout the championship. USSSA stressed that representing Uganda at FEASSA is a great honour that requires commitment, respect, and responsible behaviour from all members of the delegation.
Schools were urged to promote unity among athletes, coaches, officials, and support staff while respecting the leadership structures guiding Team Uganda. The association also emphasized that only eligible students must participate and warned against including unauthorized individuals on official teams.
All accredited personnel, including team doctors, assistant coaches, matrons, drivers, and other officials, were encouraged to actively support the teams and ensure that the delegation operates as one united national team.
Schools were also reminded of the importance of attending all official events, including the flag-off ceremony, opening ceremony, and closing ceremony.
Official Team Apparel to Be Provided
The Ministry of Education and Sports, through USSSA, will provide official team apparel to all participants representing Uganda at the regional championship. The support is aimed at promoting unity, identity, and professionalism among members of the national delegation.
Each participant will receive a pair of tracksuits, home and away competition uniforms, and a high-quality official T-shirt for both athletes and officials. The official Team Uganda kit will allow participants to proudly represent their country throughout the championship.
The meeting further informed schools that details regarding the number of participants allowed and the financial responsibilities required from each institution are clearly outlined in the official FEASSA invitation letter.
USSSA Calls for Full Commitment Ahead of Regional Championship
As Uganda prepares to join other East African nations in Morogoro, USSSA has called upon all qualified schools to demonstrate maximum commitment by following all agreed timelines, meeting the required standards, and ensuring proper preparation of their teams.
The association emphasized that success at the FEASSA Games will depend not only on sporting ability but also on discipline, teamwork, effective coordination, and adherence to established guidelines.Schools were encouraged to work closely with USSSA and the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure Team Uganda is fully prepared to compete successfully.
With the countdown to the 23rd FEASSA Games underway, Uganda’s representatives are expected to carry the nation’s flag with pride, determination, and a strong desire to achieve excellence on the regional stage.
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