The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has released a list of secondary schools facing bans due to serious rule violations, reaffirming its commitment to discipline, integrity, and fair play in school sports. The affected institutions have been found guilty of offenses such as age cheating, use of ineligible players, misconduct, and forgery of documents. As a result, they are barred from participating in USSSA-organized tournaments at district, zonal, regional, national, and international levels. The bans serve as both a punishment and deterrent, ensuring that only schools that uphold ethical standards compete in USSSA events.
According to the latest disciplinary report, five schools are currently serving bans. Among them, St. Andrews Kaggwa Gombe High School and Royal Giants High School have been suspended from all USSSA football tournaments for two years, with their bans running until September 2026. Tororo Town College, Musana Vocational High School, and Madinah Islamic School are also facing two-year bans in U20 football, U20 volleyball, and U16 football tournaments, respectively. These sanctions highlight USSSA’s zero-tolerance stance on any breach of its regulations.
On the other hand, four schools have completed their bans and are now eligible to participate in future USSSA competitions. These include Kawempe Royal College Bulaga, Janan Schools Bombo, Kabwohe Secondary School, and Victoria High School Vvumba, all of which had been suspended for one year due to violations in U20 football tournaments. While their bans have expired, these schools remain under strict monitoring, and any repeat offenses could lead to harsher penalties.
USSSA enforces bans for various reasons, with age cheating being one of the most common offenses. Some schools attempt to field overage players in youth tournaments to gain an unfair advantage. Others register non-students or players from different schools, violating eligibility rules. Additionally, cases of misconduct and violence by players, coaches, or fans have been reported, leading to disciplinary action. Some institutions have also been caught falsifying player registration records, prompting USSSA to impose severe penalties.
The impact of these bans is far-reaching, as schools lose the opportunity to compete at prestigious levels, affecting their reputation and limiting students’ chances of showcasing their talents. For students, exclusion from USSSA competitions can mean missing out on scholarship opportunities and exposure to professional scouts. Despite these consequences, USSSA maintains that strict disciplinary measures are necessary to ensure a level playing field and to protect the integrity of youth sports.
Moving forward, USSSA remains dedicated to promoting fairness, discipline, and ethical competition in secondary school sports. The association continues to educate schools on compliance, emphasizing the importance of honesty, sportsmanship, and proper documentation. Schools are urged to strengthen internal monitoring systems and uphold ethical standards to avoid future suspensions. For those who defy the rules, USSSA’s message is clear: cheating and misconduct have no place in school sports.
