In a clash steeped in rivalry and national school football prestige, Buddo Secondary School emerged victorious over perennial giants St Mary’s Kitende in the 2025 USSSA Boys Football Championship final.
The match, held in Ngora District, delivered drama befitting its high stakes—ending 0-0 in regulation before Buddo triumphed 6-5 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.
Played before a capacity crowd at Ngora High School on Wednesday, May 14, the showdown showcased two of Uganda’s most dominant school football institutions, each with a legacy of producing top talent.
This final was more than a contest—it was a statement, and Buddo SS made theirs with resilience, tactical discipline, and composure under pressure.
Neither side found the net in 80 minutes of intense, end-to-end football. Instead, the game would be decided from the spot—where heroes and heartbreakers are made.
All ten initial penalties were flawlessly dispatched, with St Mary’s Kitende’s Denis Kisiriko, Simon Mukisa, Ronald Kigoye, Ashraf Kyakuwa, and Leonard Kasanya all scoring, matched by Buddo’s Martin Bate, Aron Okello, Shakur Babi, Roy Olala, and Abasa Kisambira.
The turning point came when Kitende’s sixth kicker, Santos Agok, saw his effort palmed away by Buddo goalkeeper Edirisa Waibi, whose leftward dive ignited roars from the Buddo faithful.
Ronald Ssegirinya then stepped up and calmly converted the winning kick, sealing a moment of glory and sending Buddo SS into celebrations that echoed across the region.
The victory marks Buddo’s third national title, following previous triumphs in 2009 and 2018, and reasserts their place among Uganda’s elite school football programs.
The tournament also spotlighted individual brilliance—none more so than Mubaraka Tumwine of Masaka SS, who finished as top scorer with 10 goals. But in the end, it was collective resolve that carried Buddo across the finish line.
With over 1,600 student-athletes from 64 schools participating, the 2025 edition reinforced the championship’s role as a proving ground for future stars and a spectacle of school pride and talent.
For Kitende, it was a rare setback in a tournament they’ve dominated for decades. But for Buddo SS, it was a defining moment—a victory etched in grit, precision, and a bit of magic from 12 yards out.
By Ben Musanje
14th May 2025
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