Norton, Zimbabwe – Silver medalists St Mary’s Kitende returned home from the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2026 in Zimbabwe to a warm and proud reception at Entebbe International Airport. The team’s arrival, marked by silver medals and a $200,000 prize, symbolised not only sporting success but also Uganda’s growing presence on the continental stage through youth football development.
Head coach Hassan Zzungu highlighted the team’s progress, noting that the silver medal represents a significant step forward from their fourth-place finish in Ghana the previous year. He emphasised the value of the experience gained and expressed appreciation to the school administration, USSSA, the government institutions, players, and technical staff whose collective support made the achievement possible. Team captain Livingstone Kuluta echoed these sentiments, commending his teammates for their discipline and unity, while reaffirming their ambition to build on this success and aim for the championship in future competitions.
Uganda narrowly missed the title after a closely contested final against the Senegal national youth team, losing 4–5 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw at Ngoni Stadium in Norton, Zimbabwe. The match, witnessed by Patrice Motsepe, reflected a high level of competitiveness and sportsmanship. Uganda’s penalty scorers were Bashir Edema, Shafic Kitimbo, Frank Musisi, and Akram Ssenyonga who demonstrated composure under pressure, with the outcome ultimately decided by fine margins.
The team’s journey to the final was marked by resilience and strong performances, including a 1–1 draw with hosts Zimbabwe, emphatic victories over the Democratic Republic of Congo (6–0) and Morocco (3–0), and a hard-fought semi-final win against Benin on penalties. Individually, Owen Mukisa stood out as the tournament’s top scorer with five goals, underscoring Uganda’s emerging talent pipeline.
Beyond the sporting achievement, Uganda’s participation and success in the competition highlights the strategic role of sports diplomacy in advancing the country’s international profile. Through football, Uganda continues to foster regional solidarity, strengthen people-to-people connections, and project a positive national image across Africa. Such engagements not only nurture young talent but also reinforce cooperation, mutual respect, and shared identity among African nations.
In this context, the performance of St Mary’s Kitende reflects more than competitive excellence, it illustrates how sport serves as a unifying platform for diplomacy, youth empowerment, and continental integration, positioning Uganda as an active contributor to Africa’s sporting and diplomatic landscape.
