Uganda’s young athletes left a lasting impression at the first edition of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) School Games, finishing 13th overall out of 50 countries.
The multi-sport championship, which brought together Africa’s most promising student-athletes, concluded on Wednesday after a week of action across five Algerian cities—Algiers, Annaba, Constantine, Skikda, and Setif.
The Games attracted over 3,000 participants competing across 25 disciplines, with host nation Algeria asserting dominance by topping the medal table with a massive haul of 245 medals—103 gold, 81 silver, and 61 bronze.
North African powerhouses Egypt and Tunisia finished second and third, while Nigeria and Kenya rounded out the top five.
Despite participating in only eight events, Uganda managed to punch above its weight by clinching five medals—one gold, one silver, and three bronze. The performance secured a respectable 13th-place finish, showcasing the country’s growing potential at youth level.
The Games served not only as a continental championship but also as a developmental platform, preparing Africa’s next generation of Olympians for global stages such as the upcoming 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
With the event set to be held every two years, future editions are already lined up. Nigeria will host the next tournament in 2027, followed by Kenya in 2029, as Africa continues to invest in nurturing its young sporting talent.
