FEASSSA2026: Girls’ title to remain in Uganda as Amus face Rines in final

Uganda’s current streak began with Kawempe Muslim Secondary School’s triumph in 2019 before the competition was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the games resumed in 2022, St. Noa Girls took over the mantle, winning the title three times, while Kawempe Muslim added another crown.

The latest success is particularly interesting because none of those two schools, despite qualifying for the regional competition in Uganda eventually travelled to Morogoro.

Mozzart Sport established that the schools’ owners were unhappy with their performance at the Under-15 competition in Uganda and subsequently declined to finance their participation at FEASSSA, with their slots eventually handed to other schools that were financially capable of making the trip.

The situation highlights one of the major differences between school sports financing in Uganda and Kenya.

While Kenyan schools largely rely on government support for their participation at the regional games, Ugandan schools are generally expected to finance their own trips.

This means that a school that cannot raise the required funds can surrender its slot to another institution.

Rines, the reigning Uganda girls’ football champions, became the first side to secure a place in this year’s final after edging Boni Consili Vocational and Secondary School 1-0 at Jamhuri Stadium on Friday morning.

The match appeared to be heading towards a tense finish with Boni Consili enjoying the better of the exchanges for long periods, as Biiba Nenghamba, Jane Kabugho and Loyce Komugisha caused problems for the Rines defence.

Rines goalkeeper Bridget Yuko Nansamba and central defender Patricia Nanyanzi Nakato, however, remained composed whenever danger came their way, keeping the Ugandan champions in the contest.

Their patience eventually paid off in the 65th minute when Rines were awarded a penalty after defender Violet Nyakaiski was adjudged to have fouled Trinah Nakawuki inside the area.

Nakato stepped forward and made no mistake from the spot, sending goalkeeper Sophia Burungi Nakkazi the wrong way to give Rines the lead.

The goal proved decisive as Boni Consili could not find a response, allowing Rines to secure their place in the title decider and move within one victory of another regional crown for Uganda.

Rines captain Justine Ayerango credited the result to the collective effort within the team, with the players now turning their attention to Saturday’s final.

“I am humbled by the teamwork mentality from my teammates, and I thank my coaches for the work well done. Reaching the FEASSA final is a big feat for us,” Ayerango said.

Rines will meet Amus College in the final after the other Ugandan side defeated Rwanda’s PSB Huye in the second semi-final

For the rest of East Africa, the result represents another missed opportunity to end Uganda’s long reign, with Kenya’s Nyakach Girls and St. Joseph’s Girls Kitale having already fallen at the group stage.