The UMEA Solidarity Games 2025 edition was successfully held at Namagabi SS in Kayunga, with Kawempe Muslim and Masaka SS retaining their football trophies while Kibuli SS lost the overall title to Gombe SS.
Kawempe Muslims defeated Nkoma SS 3-0 in the final, thanks to goals scored from captain Agnes Nabukenya, Kevin Nanyunja, and Monica Nannono.
By winning the girls’ football UMEA competition, Kawempe retained the trophy for the third consecutive time since the return of the games after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In boys’ football, Masaka SS defeated Kibuli SS on penalties 6-5 after a dull 0-0 game at Namagabi SS playground.
In the shootout, Kibuli SS took the first lead after Masaka SS’ Majid Mbalirwa was denied by goalkeeper Abdul Mewonge, but Joshua Aronda failed to extend the lead after pushing his effort onto the woodwork, missing his third penalty this year.
After that miss, Masaka SS goalkeeper Abdul Nafi Mubiru was replaced after sustaining an injury and his replacement John Patrick Tumusiime, did the job by saving Abdul Rahim Waswa Kibesi’s penalty on the seventh attempt and MVP Peter Matovu completed the contest in favour of defending champions.
With the two successfully defending their title, the overall trophy was split between last year’s winner Kibuli SS and Gombe SS, with the latter taking it after accumulating four gold medals.
A double in Handball provided a key role in making Kibuli SS short in the contest with three golds while Kawanda SS finished third.
The annual event having completed successfully, the next edition shall be hosted by Nkoma SS in Mbale.
