By 
The 2026 UMEA Solidarity Games came to a thrilling conclusion in Mbale City, with Gombe Secondary School once again asserting their dominance by emerging as overall champions.
Gombe SS sealed the top spot after an impressive campaign that saw them secure five gold medals across multiple disciplines. Kibuli Secondary School finished as runners-up with four gold medals, underlining their consistent competitiveness at the annual championship.
Football Highlights
In boys’ football, Kyaddondo Secondary School clinched the title following a narrow 1-0 victory over Masaka Secondary School in a tightly contested final.
The girls’ football category saw Kawempe Muslim Secondary School extend its dominance, securing a record seventh title after a commanding 2-0 win against hosts Nkoma Secondary School.
Netball and Volleyball Excellence
In netball, Kawanda Secondary School reclaimed the championship in dramatic fashion, overcoming Kadugala Secondary School in a gripping final. Defending champions Greenlight Islamic Secondary School settled for third place.
Volleyball saw continued supremacy from established powerhouses. Mbogo Mixed Secondary School retained the boys’ title, while Kinaawa High School Mugongo extended their dominance in the girls’ category.
Multi-Discipline Competition
The games attracted significant participation, with 47 schools fielding 122 teams and a total of 1,591 छात्र-athletes competing across football, netball, volleyball, handball, table tennis, badminton, chess, and Scrabble.
Gombe SS further demonstrated their all-round strength by excelling in handball, Scrabble, and chess, reinforcing their status as one of the most formidable school sports institutions in the competition.
Full List of Key Winners
Football (Boys)
- Champions: Kyaddondo SS
- Runners-up: Masaka SS
- Third: Buziga Islamic
Football (Girls)
- Champions: Kawempe Muslim
- Runners-up: Nkoma SS
- Third: Kawempe Muslim B
Netball
- Champions: Kawanda SS
- Runners-up: Kadugala SS
- Third: Greenlight Islamic
Volleyball (Boys)
- Champions: Mbogo Mixed
- Runners-up: Namagabi SS
Volleyball (Girls)
- Champions: Kinaawa High School Mugongo
- Runners-up: Namagabi SS
Theme and Significance
Hosted by Nkoma SS, this year’s edition was held under the theme “Faith, Unity, and Excellence through Sports,” reflecting the core values of the UMEA Solidarity Games.
The tournament continues to serve as a vital platform for nurturing young talent, promoting inter-school competition, and strengthening unity through sport across Uganda’s secondary school landscape.
With another successful edition concluded, attention now shifts to the next chapter of the UMEA Games, where emerging talents will once again battle for supremacy.
