The 2026 UMEA Solidarity Games have been launched this Thursday afternoon at Kibuli Secondary School in Kampala with theme faith, unity and excellence through sports.
The 12th edition is expected to attract over 150 teams from over 70 schools of Islamic based Faith and this according to according to Hajji Lwembaawo Hussein, the General Secretary Umea Solidarity games.
Umea Games will expected to kick-off on Thursday 2nd April unitil Easter Monday, April 6th 2025 at Nkoma Secondary School in Mbale .
Muslim founded Schools will compete in different sports disciplines including; Football, Badminton, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Handball among others in boys and girls category. This year’s edition, will see Mind Games such as Chess and Scrabble being included.
Hajji Twahil Kitezaala Muhammed, chairperson UMEA Solidarity Games said that, “This year’s edition will be the first to see Judo being included and will help boost students brains. We shall still have football, Girls Netball, volleyball, Handball, Badminton, Table Tennis chess and scrabble.”
Gombe senior secondary school was the overall champions of the 2025 Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA) Solidarity Games, hosted at Namagabi Secondary School in Kayunga. The school secured the overall title after winning four gold medals across various disciplines, notably dominating in handball and chess.
The winners for each major category in the 2025 edition are as follows:
Football
Boys Football: Masaka SS defended their title by defeating Kibuli SS 6–5 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the final.
Girls Football: Kawempe Muslim SS retained their trophy for the third consecutive time, beating Nkoma SS 3–0 in the final.
Handball
Boys Handball: Gombe SS clinched the gold medal by defeating Mbogo Mixed 29–17.
Girls Handball: Gombe SS secured the gold with a 25–22 victory over Mbogo High School.
Netball
Champion: Green Light Islamic SS won their first-ever national trophy by narrowly defeating Hamdan Islamic 22–21 in the final.
Other Disciplines
Chess: Gombe SS won two gold medals.
Overall Standings:
Gombe SS (Champions)
Kibuli SS (Runners-up)
Kawanda SS (Third Place)
Sounds like a fantastic initiative promoting sports and community spirit. It’s great to see so many schools involved in Uganda.