Mbarara Army Boarding School breaks 21-year jinx to claim historic football title
Past champions like Sentah College (now Mina High), Rutooma SS, Mbarara High, Ntare School, and recent dominators Welden School had consistently overshadowed them—until now.
Mbarara Army Boarding school team players celebrate the Mbarara City Schools trophy. PHOTOS: Aloysius Byamukama
Aloysius Byamukama
Journalist @New Vision
USSSA Mbarara City schools football results
Boys football semis
Mbarara Army 1 Welden School 0
Mbarara High 1 Nyamitanga SS 0
Finals
Mbarara Army 1 Mbarara High 0
Mbarara Army Boarding School (MABS) made history on Monday by winning its first-ever Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Mbarara City football title, ending a 21-year wait for glory.
In a fiercely contested final played at their Makenke Barracks home ground, the army school edged out former champions Mbarara High School 1-0, with striker Haron Kere netting the decisive goal early in the second half on a rain-soaked pitch.
A Long-Awaited Triumph
Established in 2004 as Kadogo School—a government initiative to educate children of UPDF officers—MABS had never before reached the podium in boys' football, despite the tournament's evolution from Greater Mbarara to Mbarara Municipality and now Mbarara City.
Past champions like Sentah College (now Mina High), Rutooma SS, Mbarara High, Ntare School, and recent dominators Welden School had consistently overshadowed them—until now.
The army school announced their title ambitions by dethroning record-holders Welden School 1-0 in the semifinals before sealing their historic victory in the final.
School Celebrates Milestone Achievement
Capt. Richard Okullo, the school’s head teacher, expressed immense pride:
"This is a moment of great joy for us. We’ve worked tirelessly for this achievement, and now we aim to represent Ankole Zone at the national championships—another first if we succeed."
Girls’ Tournament Cut Short
The girls’ final was cancelled after opponents failed to meet mandatory Ministry of Education & Sports (EMIS) and USSSA registration requirements. Maryhill High School was declared winners by default.
Next Challenge: Ankole Zonal Championships
MABS will now lead seven Mbarara City teams to the USSSA Ankole Zone Championship (April 9–13, Ruyonza SS, Bushenyi), where they will battle for a spot at the USSSA Boys’ National Football Championship in Ngora High School this May.