USSSA capacity building Referees Akol and Namayanja set for CECAFA U-17 girls championship duty

By Emmanuel Sekago

Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) capacity-building referee graduates Mary Akol and Patience Namayanja have been selected as the only Ugandan match officials for the upcoming CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from June 13 to 23, 2026.

The duo earned the prestigious continental assignment shortly after officiating at the recently concluded 2026 USSSA National Ball Games II Girls’ Football Championship held at Seroma Christian High School.

Their appointment is another significant milestone for the USSSA Capacity Building Programme, which continues to produce talented young referees capable of officiating at regional and international competitions.

For Mary Akol, the assignment represents the latest chapter in an inspiring journey of growth, leadership and excellence. A Senior Six student at Jinja Secondary School, Akol has emerged as one of the brightest products of the USSSA capacity-building initiative.

Through the programme, she has developed not only as a football referee but also as a leader, gaining valuable skills in discipline, teamwork, decision-making and professionalism.

USSSA has played a critical role in nurturing her talent and confidence, enabling her to rise through the ranks and earn recognition beyond Uganda’s borders.

When the opportunity came for both Mary Akol and Patience Namayanja to officiate at the CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship, the excitement was overwhelming.

For the two young referees, the appointment is a reward for years of hard work and dedication, as well as an opportunity to represent Uganda and give back to institutions such as USSSA and FUFA that have significantly contributed to their development.

Their selection also highlights the growing impact of referee development programmes in Uganda, which continue to create pathways for young officials to gain exposure at higher levels of competition.

Meanwhile, preparations for the championship are in high gear as several participating teams have already arrived in Dar es Salaam ahead of the tournament kickoff.

Teams from Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda have already landed in Tanzania, with the remaining teams expected before the opening matches.

CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi expressed satisfaction with the preparations and the timely arrival of participating teams.

“We expect this tournament to help players in the Zone gain valuable international exposure. It will also help Kenya prepare better ahead of their final qualifying match for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers,” Mossi said.

He also revealed that CECAFA has appointed an all-female refereeing panel to officiate the championship, further promoting the growth of women in football officiating across the region.

The tournament will officially kick off on June 13, with Kenya taking on Sudan in the opening Group A fixture before hosts Tanzania face Somalia at KMC Stadium.

Uganda will begin its Group B campaign on June 14 against Djibouti at the Azam Complex, while South Sudan will face Zanzibar in the other group fixture.

The 2026 CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship has attracted eight teams, including debutants Somalia and Sudan, and will conclude on June 23.

As Mary Akol and Patience Namayanja prepare to take charge of matches on the regional stage, their appointment stands as a testament to the success of USSSA’s investment in capacity building and referee development, while inspiring many young Ugandans aspiring to build careers in football officiating.

Tournament Groups

Group A; Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan

Group B; Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti and Zanzibar