Ugandan schools have built such a stronghold in FEASSSA boys' football that their dominance has become almost routine, and Bukedea Comprehensive School team manager Fredrick Maribo believes the secret lies in a system that starts preparing players long before they step onto the regional stage.Uganda has won 20 of the 22 completed editions of the FEASSSA boys' football championship since the competition began in its current format in 2002##NAJAVA_MECA_9883243##Kenya accounts for the other two titles through St Anthony's Kitale in 2002 and Barding High School in 2016.The gap has remained evident even in the current edition in Morogoro, Tanzania, where Ugandan schools collected points across their opening-day matches while none of the Kenyan representatives managed a victory.FEASSSA: Amus College set early pace with victory in Uganda derbyMaribo, whose Bukedea side are the defending champions, says the difference starts with the way Uganda treats sport within the education systemHe adds that school football forms part of the curriculum rather than being viewed simply as an extracurricular activity."Preparations we do well. Ugandan teams prepare well and there is also consistency because for us, curriculum activities are part of the school programme," Maribo told Mozzart Sport on the sidelines of Jamhuri Stadium.The team manager and long-serving teacher says Ugandan schools do not wait for the next FEASSSA Games to begin preparing, with planning for the following season starting almost immediately after one competition ends."So normally we plan. For instance, now in high school we are planning for next year because we know we are going to the climax of this year," he added.That approach gives Ugandan teams considerably more time to identify weaknesses, develop players and build squads before the pressure of regional competition arrives, while schools can also work with players over a longer period because football remains embedded in their school programmes.##NAJAVA_MECA_9895135##He also credits Uganda's scouting network for maintaining a steady supply of talent, saying scouts regularly travel across the country in search of players who can strengthen school teams."Another thing is scouting. We scout so well. We have scouts who go to different parts of Uganda to look for players. It is about preparations and how we scout our players," he explained.The results of that system have been reflected in the FEASSSA record.Kenya won the inaugural boys' football title in 2002 through St Anthony's Kitale before Standard High School Zana delivered Uganda its first championship the following year.St Mary's Kitende then established the first major Ugandan dynasty, winning the title repeatedly from 2004 to 2014.Masaka Secondary School ended Kitende's run in 2015 before Barding High School restored the Kenyan flag to the summit in 2016.Kitende returned to the top in 2017, Buddo Secondary School won the 2018 edition in Rwanda and Kitende reclaimed the crown in 2019, sending Uganda into the Covid-19 interruption as the competition's dominant force.When FEASSSA returned in 2022, Kibuli Secondary School continued the trend by defeating Kenya's Highway Secondary School 2-0 in the final in Arusha, Tanzania.Kitende won again in 2023 after beating fellow Ugandan side Amus College 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Uganda taking all four semi-final places in an emphatic display of its depth.Amus College continued the run in 2024 before Bukedea Comprehensive completed four consecutive Ugandan victories by defeating Kenya's Musingu High School 2-1 in last year's final.Maribo, however, is not taking Uganda's latest challenge lightly, especially with Bukedea drawn alongside Kenya's reigning champions Kakamega School in Group C.FEASSSA 2026: False start for Kakamega as Kenyan champions fall to Ugandan sideKakamega are making their return to FEASSSA after an eight-year absence, having secured their ticket by winning the KSSSA boys' football title, and the boss has identified the Green Commandos as one of the biggest threats to Bukedea's title defence.The two sides already know each other well after meeting in two friendly matches earlier this year, with Kakamega winning one before the teams settled for a 1-1 draw in the other."It was a very strong team and we were prepared well, but for us the term was just beginning and the players were coming from holiday. They came to school and we played two friendly matches. We drew 1-1, but a lot of things have changed from our side and also from their side," said Masibo."I think we are going to expect two good teams performing in that group."Bukedea's group also includes Kyadondo Secondary School, who finished third in Uganda, and a Tanzanian side, making it one of the most competitive pools in the boys' tournament.For the defending champions, the objective remains clear despite the difficult route ahead."We are former champions of FEASSSA football and we are here to defend our trophy. We are prepared well and we have no injuries," he said."The team is in good shape. We came on time and the boys have rested well to compete in a very serious group which has the current champions of Kenya, Kakamega, also Kyadondo, number three in Uganda, and the hosts.""We are prepared, but we know the task ahead of us because it is a very, very strong group. We need to work hard and double our efforts so that we go through and reach the knockout stages."
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