Uganda will host a major youth football spectacle this December as St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende (SMASK) and Kawempe Muslim Secondary School gear up for the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers. The U14 tournament, originally slated for Ethiopia, will now take place at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, from December 6–9 due to Ethiopia hosting the U17 CECAFA AFCON qualifiers.
SMASK will compete in the boys’ category, while Kawempe Muslim will lead the charge in the girls’ division. Ten East African nations are expected to participate, with each fielding boys’ and girls’ teams though Sudan and Somalia will not present girls’ sides this year. Participating countries include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
Both Ugandan schools earned their spots after triumphing at the 2025 USSSA Ball Games II in July. SMASK claimed the boys’ title, while Kawempe Muslim lifted the girls’ crown, demonstrating that Uganda remains a powerhouse in regional school football.
Uganda boasts a strong recent record in this competition. In the 2024 edition at Kitende, St Noa Girls Secondary School edged Tanzania on goal difference to take the regional crown, while SMASK finished second but still qualified for the continental finals in Ghana. Earlier this year, St Noa claimed silver in Accra, winning Sh719 million, while SMASK finished fourth. Kawempe also showcased their potential in 2024, earning bronze in Zanzibar and securing Sh570 million.
This year, the stakes are high not only for glory but also for the substantial prize money on offer. Winners in each category will receive Sh362 million, runners-up Sh251 million, and third place Sh179 million. Only the champions will advance to the CAF African Schools Football Championship final tournament, where winners stand to gain Sh1.08 billion, runners-up Sh719 million, and third place Sh540 million.
CAF’s prize money is designed to fund football development: instead of direct cash, schools must choose a sport-related infrastructure project or equipment, which CAF procures on their behalf.
With a history of strong performances and a clear opportunity to advance both prestige and resources, SMASK and Kawempe Muslim will be among the favorites to make a mark on the regional stage and potentially the continent.
