The 16th edition of the ICPAU Youth and Junior Woodball Championship delivered another exciting showcase at Kyambogo Peace Park on Saturday, with rising school talent producing tight finishes, new champions and a growing sense of depth across categories.
Originally set for Koboko, the event was relocated to Kampala due to Ebola-related public health concerns, but the change did little to dampen competition, with 501 participants turning up, an increase from 400 last year.
Primary battles go down to the wire
The Primary Boys Singles produced a rare three-way tie at the summit. Airforce’s Darry Dain Ssendege, alongside Busukuma duo Darius Kimbowa and Ramathan Jjuuko, all finished locked on 31 strokes. Busukuma’s Andrew Ssozi followed closely on 36.
In the girls’ contest, the same level of precision defined the podium. Santa Maria Junior School’s Martha Nalunkuuma and Busukuma’s Prossy Nakimuli shared top honours on 34 strokes, while Santa Maria’s Catherine Nabbanja scored 35 strokes, just one stroke shy of forcing another deadlock.
Busukuma’s consistency was enough to secure them the Boys Team crown ahead of Santa Maria, with Simple Mummy Junior School Kawoko completing the podium.
Santa Maria responded strongly in the Girls Team standings, finishing top ahead of Busukuma, with Shimoni Demonstration School Kira in third.
Mpoma, Mengo in control
Mpoma Girls’ Joy Mwanja Namuli delivered a measured round of 55 strokes to take the Ladies Singles title, edging Namagoma’s Yasmin Najah and Mengo SS’s Esther Kyamagero, who both returned 56 in a tightly packed finish.
Namuli said the result was a product of steady improvement rather than a one-off performance.
‘I’m really happy to win again. It shows the hard work is paying off and that I’m improving with every tournament,’ she noted.
Mpoma demonstrated their collective strength, finishing top with 243 strokes. St Mark’s College Namagoma followed on 247, while Mengo SS completed the podium on 253.
In the Men Singles, Mengo SS produced a controlled display through Joshua Muwanguzi, who topped the standings with 44 strokes. Airforce’s Jumah Millers and Amazima’s Daniel Onanyang shared second place on 50.
The Boys Team event delivered one of the most competitive finishes of the championship, with Mengo SS emerging champions on 235 strokes. Airforce pushed them all the way on 237, while Luzira SS were a further stroke behind on 238 in a three-way battle decided on fine margins.
Bright future
Uganda Woodball Federation president Paul Mark Kayongo praised the championship’s continued role in shaping the sport’s future, while unveiling the 16 players who will enter residential camp ahead of the World Cup in Perlis, Malaysia.
‘The tournament continues to be vital in shaping young players into future national team stars. We are also unveiling,’ he said.
ICPAU’s Lydia Tusiime also highlighted the broader impact of the championship beyond results, pointing to steady growth in participation and school engagement. ICPAU also injected Shs21 million into the championship.
She noted that the sport is increasingly reinforcing values such as discipline and accountability among learners, aligning closely with its educational objectives.
Attention now shifts to the Ball Games II Championships at St Catherine Girls School in Gulu next month.
Primary boys’ singles
Darry Dain Ssendege (Airforce) – 31
Darius Kimbowa (Busukuma) – 31
Ramathan Jjuuko (Busukuma) – 31
Andrew Ssozi (Busukuma) – 36
Primary girls’ singles
Martha Nalunkuuma (Santa Maria JS) – 34
Prossy Nakimuli (Busukuma) – 34
Catherine Nabbanja (Santa Maria JS) – 35
Ladies singles
Joy Mwanja Namuli (Mpoma girls) – 55
Yasmin Najah (Namagoma) – 56
Esther Kyamagero (Mengo SS) – 56
Men Singles
Joshua Muwanguzi (Mengo SS) – 44
Jumah Millers (Airforce) – 50
Daniel Onanyang (Amazima) – 50