Lira Town College Awarded Hosting Rights for 2026 USSSA National Boys’ Football Championship
By Odongo Moris Michael
Lira Town College, located in Lira City, has officially been awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) National Boys’ Football Championship.
The certificate was handed over by the Ministry of Sports on March 12, 2026, marking the beginning of preparations for what will be a major sports event in the region.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 10 to 20, 2026, and will feature 64 secondary schools across the country.
Sam Odongo, Assistant Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, confirmed that Lira Town College qualified to host the event after scoring 80% during a facility inspection. “We inspected all the necessary facilities and confirmed that Lira Town College is fully prepared for this event,” he stated.
According to technical reports, the college’s dormitories, offices, and playing grounds are in excellent condition. Additionally, 18 playing fields across Lira City have been confirmed for the championship. Notable venues include Dr Obote College, which boasts the best ground, as well as All Saints University Lango, St. Katherine SS, and the college’s own playground. Other schools such as Lango College, Mentor SS, Railway Seed secondary School, and Ireda Primary School will also host matches. While some fields are slightly affected by the weather, officials have confirmed they are still suitable for use.
Odongo encouraged the local community to embrace the event as a potential source of income. “This event will bring significant economic benefits to Lango. The community should actively participate to take advantage of the opportunity,” he advised.
He also commended College’s headteacher, Mr. Levi Abongo, for his tireless efforts in securing the event.
Okot P. Bitek, President of the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), expressed pride in Lira Town College’s preparation. “They’ve made it easy for us to send favorable reports to the Ministry of Sports,” he noted. Bitek further emphasized that hosting rights are now competitive, with only schools possessing the best facilities securing such opportunities.
While northern Uganda boasts good facilities, Bitek acknowledged that maintenance remains a key challenge. “We must focus on maintaining our grounds in top condition to drive the economy through sports,” he added.
Lillian Ocare, the outgoing Chairperson of the Board of Governors, thanked the Ministry of Sports for choosing the school as the host and encouraged the people of Lango to support the event by motivating their children to participate.
Rev Johnson Ogema, the incoming Board Chairperson, highlighted the college’s history of sponsoring talented sports students and expressed hopes for this tradition to continue. “Sports provide an important outlet for stress relief in today’s world,” he remarked.
Abongo referred to the event as a “golden opportunity” for the region. He also confirmed that guests from across East Africa are expected to attend, urging local business owners to maintain hospitality standards and avoid overcharging visitors.
Lira City Sports Officer, Ogole Daniel Fred, stated that Lango deserves more opportunities to host national events, particularly with the upcoming Akii Bua Stadium. “This stadium will enable us to host even bigger events in the future,” he said.
The Mayor of Lira City East Division, George Okello Ayo, assured the public that the city is fully prepared. “We have provided graders to prepare the pitches, and security will be tight to ensure the success of the event,” he said.
