By Delux Emmy Alomu
KATAKWI
The one-week long 12th edition of the National Games and Sports Championships for skills development Centres (SDCs) formerly vocational schools has been opened in the Eastern district of with the theme ‘sports for unity, health and career—Embrace it’.
This rotational national event which Kihiihi community polytechnic-Kanungu hosted in 2025 is this year being hosted by Katakwi Technical School-Katakwi and it commenced with Athletics on Sunday April 26th and ending on Thursday April 30th, 2026.
Participants will engage in a variety of sports, including athletics, woodball, mind games, football, volleyball, netball, and handball, along with field events such as shot put, javelin, and discus.
Kabatesi M. Ruqayyah, the Chairperson of the Vocational Schools Sports Association of Uganda, noted that 24 SDCs are participating this year, including two private centres: Suubi SDC from Luweero and Flaminio SDC from Arua. Suubi is making its third appearance in the games, while Flaminio has been a dedicated participant since inception. Unfortunately, Wera and Kumi Technical Schools are absent this year due to recent strikes that temporarily closed their doors.
Kabatesi shared that out of 768 student participants, there are 462 males and 306 females, with the total number of team leaders and officials reaching 947.
Regional representation shows that the Central region has 6 out of 7 SDCs participating, the Eastern region has 8 out of 11, the Northern region has 5 out of 9, the Western region has 4 out of 11, and only 1 out of 3 from the West Nile region.
The championship aims to promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles among youth, nurture talent in vocational institutions, foster teamwork, discipline, and leadership, and ultimately strengthen unity and cooperation among different institutions.
Kabatesi emphasized the event’s significance in their ongoing commitment to advancing sports and talent development while fostering unity among both public and private SDCs across the nation.
She encouraged participants to compete with integrity, respect the rules, and embody the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Let this event not only focus on winning medals but also on creating lasting relationships and celebrating our shared love for sports,” Kabatesi stated.
Joseph Aisu Edotun, Chairperson of all SDC heads nationwide, highlighted that while these events help uncover youth talent sought by various organizations, insufficient funding hinders their potential for national recognition, and he urged the government to address the transportation challenges preventing some schools from participating.
Sam Odongo, Assistant Commissioner for Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized that these games provide students a platform to showcase and develop their talents, promote discipline, foster unity, and enhance overall well-being.
He also mentioned plans to investigate the lack of participation from some SDCs and reforms in TVET aimed at addressing challenges and improving standards for next year’s events.
Geofrey Omolo, the District Chairperson of Katakwi, took the stage as the chief guest, emphasizing that these games represent much more than just sports.
He highlighted that they serve as a vital platform for cultivating discipline, teamwork, resilience, and leadership among students. As the competitions unfold, Omolo encouraged the participants to prioritize fitness, show respect to each other, and recognize that true unity transcends mere victory.
“Let these games foster friendships throughout the region and encourage peace and national cohesion,” he declared. He also urged stakeholders and leaders to keep investing in technical education and talent development.
Meanwhile, Daniel Alileng, the acting District Education Officer of Katakwi, noted that this event provides a unique opportunity for students to connect with their heritage and discover the beauty of their motherland.
Lawrence Ongobe, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Katakwi, emphasized that participating in games and sports significantly boosts mental wellbeing by enhancing concentration, improving cognitive skills, and relieving stress.
The SDCs, previously known as technical schools and polytechnics, that are taking part include Iyolwa in Tororo, Olio in Serere, Kadogo-Mbarara, Dokolo, Gombe-Wakiso, Lumino in Busia, Bobi in Omoro, Lutunku in Sembabule, Barinyanga in Tororo, Obyen in Kitgum, Bbowa in Luweero, Kizinga in Kabale, and the host, Katakwi SDC among others.
Looking ahead, one of the three SDCs in West Nile, comprising Flaminio in Arua, Pacer in Nebbi, and Inde in Madi Okolo, will be hosting the national championship in 2027.
