2025 USSSA Bugisu Zone Boys Football
- Final: Bugisu High School 0 (4) – 0 (2) Nabumali High School
- 3rd Place Playoff: Divine College Buyaga 3-0 Mulatsi SS (Walkover)
The 2025 USSSA Bugisu zone football championship was successfully concluded at the Mbale School of the Deaf playgrounds.
Bugisu High School overcame Nabumali High School 4-2 in post-match penalties after normal time of the final had failed to produce any goal.
This was the first time that Bugisu High School qualifies for the nationals (this year to be played in Ngora).
The two teams controversially played the final despite meeting in the semifinal, where Bugisu High won 1-0, after the other two semifinalists- Nkoma SS and Mbale Progressive SS were both ejected from the tournament for using ineligible players following a petition and counter petition when Nkoma won the semifinal 4-2 in penalties after a goalless draw.
Bugisu High School from Mbale City, Nabumali High School from Mbale district and Divine College Buyaga from Bulambuli district will represent Bugisu Zone in the 2025 USSSA National Boys Football Championship which will be hosted by Ngora High School.
Challenging, tough and rough qualification road:
Bugisu High School had initially lost on penalties in quarterfinals at the district championships, finishing 5th in rankings.
After more slots were added by the executive committee to 6, they made it to the zonal championships.
They were drawn in a very tough group that had two district champions; St Edward SS from Manafwa district and Mulatsi SS (Mbale District).
They opened their group D journey with a 2-1 win over St Edward SS with Aaron “Tuku Tuku” Musiro and team captain Emmanuel Napokoli Watiti on target.
They also edged Mulatsi SS 1-0 courtesy of John “Joe Wizy” Namboko’s strike.
At the round of 16 stage, Bugisu High School came top of Mbale High School 3-1; a sweet hat-trick from Watiti to qualify for the quarter finals where they eliminated Makhai Seed School 2-0.
Watiti was once again on target alongside Francis Walter Masongo to make it to the semi-finals.
In the semifinals, Bugisu High School pipped Nabumali High School 1-0 with star-player Watiti on target.
Ben Magomu, head coach of Bugisu High School and also assistant coach at Eastern Regional League side Bugisu United FC (under the same management), credited the success to the players’ commitment, support from the school administration and technical team.
“I salute the players for the good work well done to qualify for the national for the first time ever. The support got from the school administration can not be underestimated and I thank my fellow coaches” an overjoyed Magomu remarked.
Magomu promised they will give their best at the national championships in Ngora.
The school’s head teacher, Sam Mabonga, expressed his delight and pledged full support to the team to ensure they perform well and represent the Bugisu Zone well at the national competition—possibly earning additional slots for future championships.
Renown administrator and businessman Wycliffe Mwambu is the director of Bugisu High School and Bugisu Junior School.
He is also the chairperson of Bugisu United Football Club and a prominent businessman who owns a chain of businesses including Elgon Palace Hotel Mbale.
(Key facts and additional reporting by Ronnie “Ssalongo” Wabomba, a seasoned journalist based in Mbale city)
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