Uganda breaks curse, wins overall trophy on home soil as FEASSSA Games conclude in Bukedea

By Emmanuel Sekago

The long-standing curse of not winning the overall trophy on home soil was finally broken as Uganda retained the overall title at the Federation of East Africa Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games, which concluded on Monday, August 26th, 2024, in Bukedea District.

Uganda’s teams clinched an impressive 37 medals, consisting of 12 gold, 14 silver, and 11 bronze. Kenya finished second with 26 medals—11 gold, 10 silver, and six bronze—while Rwanda secured third place with one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals, narrowly edging out Burundi, who had just one less silver medal. Tanzania came in last, managing to secure three bronze medals

Uganda’s dominance was particularly evident in boys’ football, with hosts Amus College School dethroning the record holders, St. Mary’s Kitende, with a narrow 1-0 victory in the final. Kenya’s Musingu High School claimed third place after a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bukedea Comprehensive School. It’s worth noting that Barding High School was the last Kenyan team to win the FEASSSA football trophy back in 2016 in Eldoret.

In the girls’ category, St. Noa Girls triumphed over Kenya’s Butere Girls with a 1-0 win to lift the trophy in a final held at the Bukedea Comprehensive Sports Complex.
Uganda also showcased its strength in the primary schools’ category, winning three gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. Kenya followed with three gold, one silver, and one bronze, while Tanzania placed third with one gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.

Uganda’s victories spanned across various disciplines, including Football (boys and girls), Girls’ Athletics, Swimming (boys and girls), Basketball 5×5 (boys and girls), Handball (boys and girls), Table Tennis (boys and girls), Girls’ Lawn Tennis, and Netball. Kenya, on the other hand, secured titles in Rugby 15s, Rugby Sevens (boys and girls), Boys’ Athletics, Girls’ Volleyball, Basketball 3×3 (boys and girls), Hockey (boys and girls), and Boys’ Lawn Tennis.

Emmanuel Kasakya, the USSSA Competition Director, expressed satisfaction with Uganda’s performance, particularly in breaking the curse of not winning on home soil. However, he also pointed out that there is still work to be done in certain disciplines where Uganda failed to secure medals. “Winning overall on home soil is a significant achievement, but we need to focus on the areas where we fell short and implement plans to improve as we move forward,” Kasakya said in an interview with Wallnetnews.
As the 21st FEASSSA edition comes to a close, the baton now passes to Kenya, who will host the 22nd edition of the games in Kakamega County.