Lira Town College Ready to Host USSSA Boys’ Championship as a Third of Schools Report Ahead of Official Kickoff on May 13

Lira Town College has declared itself ready to host the 2026 Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association National Boys’ Football Championship, with about a third of the participating schools already reporting ahead of the tournament’s official kickoff on May 13.

Speaking during a press briefing at the school, the headteacher of Lira Town College and chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Abongo Levi, said preparations for the national championship had reached 95 percent.

“We are not just hosting a tournament; we are hosting Uganda,” Levi said, while appealing to residents of Lira and the wider Lango sub-region to turn up in large numbers and support the games.

The championship, which will run from May 10 to May 20, is expected to attract 64 regional champion schools, more than 1,600 players and over 200 officials from across the country.

According to organisers, teams had already started arriving in Lira, with reporting and screening exercises continuing at the host school.

USSSA Second Vice President and chairperson of the organising committee, Okot P’Bitek, said officials had commenced verification of players to ensure only registered athletes participate in the competition.

“Today we are conducting screening and verification of players to ensure that the athletes participating are the same ones registered in our system,” Okot said.

He added that technical meetings involving referees, games teachers and tournament officials would be held ahead of the start of matches.

The official opening ceremony, initially scheduled for Tuesday, was shifted to Wednesday, May 13, due to national activities related to the presidential swearing-in ceremony.

Organisers said the opening event would feature a procession through selected streets in Lira City, cultural performances showcasing Lango heritage and an opening match involving the host school.

Tournament matches will be played at the main Lira Town College playground and several satellite pitches across the city.

Levi said the main stadium pitch had already been re-grassed and fitted with FIFA-standard goalposts, while training grounds at Lango College, Dr. Obote College and Lira Modern Primary School were fully prepared.

Security and medical preparedness have also been finalised, with police and other security agencies deployed to ensure safety during the tournament.

Two ambulances from Lira Regional Referral Hospital will remain on standby throughout the games, while Red Cross first aiders have been trained and equipped.

Organisers also said accommodation facilities had been prepared within the school and in hotels around the city, including Lira Hotel, Margarita Palace and Pauline Hotel.

The organisers estimate that the tournament could generate more than Shs400 million for local businesses through increased activity in hotels, transport, restaurants and produce markets.

They have appealed to residents, boda boda riders and traders to welcome visitors warmly and avoid charging exploitative prices.

“We want visitors to go back home knowing Northern Uganda is peaceful and hospitable,” Okot said.

Entrance to the matches will be free, with organisers urging football fans to maintain discipline and avoid hooliganism during the competition.