St. Noa Girls, St. Mary’s Kitende, Kawanda, Baptist and Kaddugala make strong statements as USSSA National Ball Games II Netball Throws- Off in Gulu

By Emmanuel Sekago

GULU CITY – Traditional netball giants St. Noa Girls Secondary School, St. Mary’s Secondary School Kitende, Kawanda Secondary School, Baptist High School and Kaddugala Secondary School began their campaigns in emphatic fashion as the 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Ball Games II got underway in Gulu City.

It was a difficult opening day for Moroto High School, Buwunga Secondary School and Tororo Girls School, who suffered some of the heaviest defeats as the tournament’s top contenders immediately stamped their authority in the race for this year’s national title.

Among the standout performances of the day was St. Noa Girls Secondary School, who produced a ruthless display to demolish Buwunga Secondary School 45-2 in one of the tournament’s biggest victories.

Goal shooter Jamila Nasimbe and goal attacker Trisha Nalumansi combined brilliantly in attack, converting almost every opportunity that came their way. In midfield, Maria Kelly orchestrated play with precision, delivering accurate passes that kept St. Noa’s attack flowing throughout the contest.

At the defensive end, goal keeper Assy Nabsinge delivered a commanding performance, frustrating Buwunga’s shooters and attackers with relentless interceptions and tight marking. Her outstanding display limited Buwunga to just two goals in the entire match.

Record national and FEASSSA champions St. Mary’s Kitende also enjoyed a winning start, defeating Greenlight Islamic Secondary School 25-16 in a closely contested Group P encounter played at Gulu High School.

In another one-sided affair, USSSA-Karamoja Zone representatives Moroto High School endured a difficult introduction to the national championships after suffering a heavy 44-2 defeat against Trinity Catholic High School Nalweyo.

Defending champions Buddo Secondary School showed why they remain among the tournament favourites with a convincing 44-5 victory over Iganga Secondary School in their opening Group A fixture.

Meanwhile, Namagabi Secondary School announced their intentions of improving on last year’s finish by comfortably defeating Tororo Girls School 31-9 in Group E.

One of the most thrilling contests of the day came when St. Jerome Secondary School edged Nakanbirwa Secondary School 23-22 in a fiercely contested encounter that went down to the final minutes.

With several tournament favourites making strong opening statements, the battle for this year’s USSSA National Ball Games II netball championship is already gathering momentum, as schools continue their quest for national glory and qualification to represent Uganda at the 2026 FEASSSA Games scheduled for Morogoro, Tanzania in August.

Selected Results

St Noa Girls 45-02 Buwunga

Bishop Maraka 21-23 Akalo

Hamdan 34-11 Rock Highway

Fortportal SS 17-25 Kawanda SS

Kihanga 10-13 Kisana

Blessed Sacrament 42-17 Kalambi

St. Kizito 11-21 Yomako

Kaddugala 19-15 Ibun Baz

St. Mary’s Kitende 25-16 Greenlight

Buddo SS 44-05 Iganga

Namagabi 31-09 Tororo Girls

Trinity Catholic 44-02 Moroto High