By Mike Rwothomio | Lee Ofoymungu

West Nile sub-region has named its three representatives for the upcoming national post-primary schools sports championship, with Zombo District sweeping all available slots in their respective disciplines and earning a rare moment in the spotlight.

Zombo’s trio of qualifiers includes reigning Badminton champions Pakadha Seed Secondary School, Volleyball champions Charity College Paidha, and Netball champions Paidha Secondary School.

The three schools will fly the West Nile flag at the national event scheduled for 27th April 2026 in Mukono.

Zombo District Sports Officer Aziz Onim confirmed the automatic qualification on Friday, April 10, 2026, while addressing guests at Pakadha Seed Secondary School during a thanksgiving ceremony to celebrate the school’s treble triumph in the recent Zombo post-primary games.

“All our three schools have no regional challengers in Badminton, Volleyball and Netball. They are now automatically qualified for the national event slated for 27th April this month,” Onim declared.

The development marks a major boost for Zombo schools as they prepare to shine on the national stage , a platform widely regarded as the ultimate talent exhibition ground where scouts from higher-level teams and sponsors frequently fish for raw talent, offering sponsorships and pathways into national clubs.

Students, teachers and other guests during the cellebration at Pakadha seed

Onim urged the schools to intensify training, particularly in these emerging “virgin” disciplines. He revealed that Badminton champions Pakadha Seed have been allocated additional slots, calling for three more players to join the existing four who will represent the school.

“I encourage you to send three players such that we can train,” Onim said, while reaffirming the district’s full commitment to transport all qualifying schools to Mukono.

Pakadha Seed’s Director of Studies, Mr. Daniel Abwang, expressed delight at the milestone and appealed to the district to support the provision of better sports infrastructure, especially playing fields, to grow other disciplines.

During the thanksgiving prayers, Rev. Father David Kumakech, curate of Abanga Catholic Parish and chaplain of Pakadha Seed, motivated the learners: “Don’t take any sports discipline for granted; sportsmen have become hotcakes. Take the talent God has given you seriously.”

Pakadha Seed Secondary School, situated in the rural Singa area of Serr Parish, Abanga Sub-County, is a government-aided institution established in 2003. It was the first seed secondary school in Northern Uganda and has continued to excel both academically and in co-curricular activities.

The school recently swept three trophies , Badminton, Boys Football, and Girls Football during the 2026 Zombo post-primary games held in Paidha Town Council, taking its trophy haul to eleven.

Head teacher Francis Donge reaffirmed the school’s commitment to supporting its students at the national games, restating Pakadha Seed’s vision.“Transformation of Pakadha Seed to a center of academic and extra-curriculum excellence.”

The qualification comes against the backdrop of the Uganda Sports Act 2023, which mandates schools to introduce and promote at least 10 different sports disciplines to broaden talent identification and reduce over-reliance on football.

Trophies won by Pakadha seed in recent years.

Zombo’s success has been hailed as a big thumbs-up for the district sports department, which has aggressively introduced new disciplines including Badminton, Dance Sports, Handball, Volleyball, Netball, Table Tennis, and Cricket in recent years.

Onim reiterated the call: “With the introduction of these different sports disciplines, we encourage schools to invest in different sports facilities.”

District Inspector of Sports Jalar Silvio emphasized that talented athletes must lace their gifts with discipline, patriotism, and self-reliance which are core pillars of the education system.

Assistant Resident District Commissioner Bruno Mananu stressed the importance of discipline and urged students to maximize the national platform.

“Use the national level sports to expose yourself and achieve. As government, our focus is on both sports and academics; let’s approach both,” Mananu noted.

Meanwhile, at the regional level, Nebbi Municipality has been selected to host the 2026 Secondary Schools Ball Games 1 Boys Tournament for West Nile.

The following schools have already qualified for the regional competition:

YUMBE DISTRICT

• Yumbe SS
• Aringa SS
• Kei Seed

ARUA CITY

• St. Joseph’s College Ombachi
• Mvara SS
• Tarantino

ARUA DISTRICT

• Ushindi SS
• Modern SS
• Vurra SS

KOBOKO DISTRICT

• St. Charles Lwanga
• Kochi SS
• Nyai SS

MOYO DISTRICT

• Bishop Asili
• Moyo Star
• Lefori Seed

OBONGI DISTRICT

• Itula SS
• Idiwa Parents
• Luru SS

ADJUMANI DISTRICT

• Bezza Al Hijji SS
• Pagirinya SS

PAKWACH DISTRICT

• Martyrs College
• Paroketo

MARACHA DISTRICT

• Otravu SS
• Yivu SS

ZOMBO DISTRICT

• Pakadha Seed
• Paidha SS

NEBBI DISTRICT

• Mamba SS
• St. Daniels Comboni
• Nebbi SS

TEREGO DISTRICT

• Siripi Modern SS
• St. Luke Widi

West Nile will now look to these qualifiers to deliver strong performances both at the regional Ball Games 1 and the national championships in Mukono later this month.

The three trophies won by Pakadha Seed Secondary School displayed in front of district officials during the Thanksgiving prayers on Friday, April 10, 2026. Photo: Mike Rwothomio.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot information hub