In the heart of Mbale, where shuttlecocks danced through the air and racquets sang with each strike, two schools rose above the fray to etch their names in the annals of Uganda’s school sports.
After five intense days of competition in the echoing main hall of Mbale SS, Kibuli Secondary School and Mbogo High School emerged as the national champions of boys’ and girls’ badminton, respectively, in the USSSA Ball Games I.
This year’s edition drew 24 schools per gender, but when the dust settled, it was the familiar titans and the fast-rising challengers who gave fans a grandstand finish.
Kibuli SS: Still the Kings
Kibuli SS, already a household name in Ugandan school badminton, entered the boys’ final as defending champions. Facing them was a hungry Kinaawa High School Kawempe side that has been steadily climbing the ranks. What followed was a riveting three-match showdown that ended 3-0 in favor of Kibuli, but the scoreboard only tells half the story.
The opener saw Kibuli’s top seed, Mukasa Dennis, face Kinaawa’s spirited Frederick Kadoli. In a battle of styles—Dennis with his measured, surgical aggression versus Kadoli’s high-octane attack—the two delivered an electrifying duel. Dennis narrowly edged it 21-17, 22-20, drawing loud cheers from the packed gallery.
Next, it was the captains’ clash: Kibuli’s Akbar Nooh Oduka versus Kinaawa’s Najimu Mboowa. What began as a one-sided show quickly turned into a tug-of-war as Mboowa clawed back with finesse and grit. But after three nail-biting sets (21-5, 19-21, 23-21), it was Akbar who stood tall.
With Kibuli up 2-0, the final tie pitted Arafat Tendo Kibirige against Kinaawa’s Bruno Agaba. Both known as tactical players who exploit opponents’ errors, the game was a chess match with racquets. Arafat adjusted mid-game, turning to full-blown attack to outmaneuver Agaba 21-6, 21-23, 21-16, sealing the championship.
Emotions run high
“We played our best badminton ever,” said Kinaawa captain Najimu Mboowa, his tone proud but heavy. “We didn’t win, but Kibuli felt us. FEASSA will be different.”
Kibuli’s coach, Joshua Muguluma, was calm and confident: “The boys stuck to the plan. This win was expected, but FEASSA will be our next proving ground.”
Kinaawa’s coach Frank Muwuluzi summed up the day with fighting words: “We’re no longer underdogs. The giant didn’t fall, but he staggered. Time will tell.”
Mbogo High: Golden girls with grit
In the girls’ final, Mbogo High faced off against their familiar foes, Rubaga Girls, in a 3-0 win that was far more dramatic than the clean sweep suggests.
Every match had tension, every point was contested. Rubaga pushed hard, coming within inches of turning the tide. But Mbogo, with the calm of champions and nerves of steel, refused to yield.
This was not just a title—it was redemption, reaffirmation, and a warning to any team eyeing FEASSA glory.
