Don’t write Off St Julian School-Mukono at the 21st FEASSA Games-Experts advise

By Emmanuel Sekago

As East African schools prepare to converge on Bukedea Comprehensive School and Amus College School in Uganda for the 21st edition of the FEASSA Games on Thursday, August 15th, 2024, anticipation is high. While many Ugandan fans have their eyes on St. Mary’s Boarding Secondary School-Kitende to defend their title, and others view Highway High School from Kenya as strong contenders, it would be a mistake to overlook the rising powerhouse, St. Julian School-Mukono.

St. Julian School-Mukono has had an extraordinary year in Ugandan football. On May 7th, 2024, they claimed the Ugandan Secondary School National Championship by defeating Amus College School 3-0 in the national final held at Masaka Secondary School.

This victory dethroned St. Mary’s Kitende, the record holders who had won the title in Fort Portal in 2023 by beating St. Henry’s Kitovu 1-0 in the final.

Why You Shouldn’t Write Off St. Julian School-Mukono, they emerged as the champions of the USSSA-Mukono zone, demonstrating their dominance early in the year. In their debut at the USSSA National Championship, they topped Group J, outclassing Paidha Secondary School, the finalists of the USSSA-West Nile zone.

St. Julian proved their mettle by eliminating Wakiso underdogs Kyadondo Secondary School at the Round of 32, They continued their streak by knocking out Jinja Comprehensive School, the finalists of Jinja District and USSSA-Busoga Zone champions, at the Round of 16.

In the quarterfinals, they eliminated the tournament hosts, Masaka Secondary School, and in the semifinals, they bested Bukedea Comprehensive School to reach the final.

In the national final, St. Julian School-Mukono delivered a decisive 3-0 victory over Amus College School, who had previously knocked out St. Mary’s Kitende in a penalty shootout in the semifinals.

Led by coach Felix Kawooya Ssekabuuza, St. Julian School-Mukono will be making their FEASSA debut with high hopes of bringing the trophy back to Uganda. Their performance so far suggests they are more than capable of taking on the best teams from across East Africa.
In interviews with stakeholders, there is a cautious optimism surrounding St. Julian School-Mukono’s chances at the FEASSA Games,  “St. Julian may be new to the FEASSA Games, but their journey this year has shown that they thrive under pressure. They’ve consistently beaten more experienced teams, and that momentum could carry them far in Bukedea,” said a seasoned sports analyst.

“Their defense is solid, and their attack is relentless. If they bring the same energy to the FEASSA Games, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the finals,” noted a Ugandan football coach.

“While St. Mary’s Kitende and Highway High School-Kenya are the favorites, St. Julian could be the dark horse that surprises everyone. They’ve already shown they can beat the best,” commented a local sports journalist.

As the FEASSA Games draw near, the focus may be on the usual heavyweights, but St. Julian School-Mukono’s impressive 2024 campaign makes them a team to watch. Their journey to the national championship was anything but easy, and their victories over established teams underscore their potential to shake things up at the regional level. As they make their FEASSA debut, it would be wise not to underestimate this rising star in Ugandan school football. The question now is, can St. Julian School-Mukono continue their fairytale run and make history once again? Only time will tell.