The 2025 UMEA Solidarity Games successfully climaxed at Namagabi Secondary School in Kayunga District, drawing participation from various Muslim-founded secondary schools across Uganda. The annual event brought together students to compete in different sporting disciplines, aiming to foster unity, discipline, and talent development among Muslim youth.
Gombe Secondary School emerged as the overall champions of the tournament after securing four gold medals, while Kibuli SS finished as the runners-up with three gold medals. The tournament saw intense competition in various sports, with schools showcasing high levels of skill and teamwork throughout the games.
Held in April 2025, the event featured games such as chess, scrabble, table tennis, badminton, handball, volleyball, netball, and football. Schools competed in both boys’ and girls’ categories, with notable performances from Kawanda SS in scrabble, Kibuli SS in table tennis and badminton, and Mbogo High and Mbogo Mixed in badminton and volleyball respectively.
Champions
CHESS
Girls: Gombe SS
Boys: Gombe SS
SCRABBLE
Girls: Kawanda SS
Boys: Kawanda SS
TABLE TENNIS
Girls: Kibuli SS
Boys: Kibuli SS
BADMINTON
Girls: Mbogo High
Boys: Kibuli SS
HANDBALL
Girls: Gombe SS
Boys: Gombe SS
VOLLEYBALL
Girls: Kinaawa High School – Mugongo
Boys: Mbogo Mixed
NETBALL
Girls: Greenlight Islamic
FOOTBALL
Girls: Kawempe Muslim A
Boys: Masaka SS
OVERALL CHAMPIONS
Gombe SS
The tournament was hosted at Namagabi SS, providing an ideal environment for competition and sportsmanship. The event served as a platform for schools to not only compete but also build friendships and promote Islamic values through sports. Masaka SS and Kawempe Muslim A successfully defended their football titles in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively, highlighting consistency and preparation.
Organized under the Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA), the games aimed to bring together Muslim-founded schools for sports development and community bonding. Through careful planning and coordination, the tournament was a success, ending with celebrations and recognition for all participants, especially the champions — Gombe SS
Photo: Kamira Asha
