The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has expelled Jinja Progressive Academy from the 2025 U-20 National Boys’ Football Championship due to serious violations, including violent conduct and fielding ineligible players.
In a statement issued Tuesday, USSSA confirmed that the school’s expulsion followed a series of incidents during their semifinal match against St. Mary’s Boarding Secondary School Kitende, played on May 13, 2025.
According to Mugisha Christopher Banage, the Chief Executive Officer of USSSA, the team’s technical bench was found guilty of inciting violence and engaging in physical aggression towards match officials. This resulted in the disruption of the game and a breach of USSSA’s rules governing conduct during competitions.
“Members of the technical bench assaulted match officiating officials and incited violence among spectators, leading to a disruption of the game,” Banage said. “These actions were direct violations of the Secondary Schools Competition Rules.”
Additionally, USSSA officials revealed that Jinja Progressive Academy had fielded two ineligible players, Adrian Isabirye and Musa Ntege, both of whom had accumulated two yellow cards earlier in the tournament, making them ineligible to participate in the match.
As a result of the expulsion, Jinja Progressive Academy forfeits the semifinal match, and St. Mary’s Kitende advances to the final. The game, which had been halted in the 39th minute due to the violent incident, will not be replayed.
The USSSA has also directed Jinja Progressive Academy to vacate the games village and surrounding areas within Ngora District immediately. Further action will be taken after consultations with the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The final match is set to be played today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Ngora High School.
