Kasawo Islamic SS to Host 2027 ISSAU Games as Sixth Edition Concludes

The sixth edition of the Inter Islamic Secondary Schools Association Uganda (ISSAU) Games concluded successfully on Friday, July 3, at Buziga Islamic and Theological Institute, with Kasawo Islamic Secondary School in Mukono confirmed as hosts of the 2027 edition.

The annual competition, which was established in 2019 to bring together Islamic and theological secondary schools through sports and academics, attracted more than 300 students from 13 schools across the country.

Participants competed in football, netball, basketball and volleyball, while indoor contests featured Qur’an recitation, Hadith, quiz, poetry, and public speaking in both English and Arabic.

In boys’ football, Greenlight Islamic Secondary School, Nansana made history by becoming the first school to successfully defend the ISSAU title after defeating hosts Buziga Islamic and Theological Institute 1-0 in the final. The championship match was witnessed by the chief guest, Imam Idd Kasozi.

Speaking during the closing ceremony, Imam Kasozi applauded the association for promoting sports among Islamic schools and urged member institutions to remain committed to its vision.

“This is a great initiative that can take our schools to greater heights in sports development. Sports is not only about competition; it also creates opportunities and many other benefits. For the association to achieve the goals that inspired its formation, all member schools must remain committed to its objectives,” he said.

ISSAU Chairman Ishaka Mbalirwa welcomed the chief guest and highlighted the remarkable growth of the association since its inception.

“We started in 2019 with only five schools, but today the association has continued to grow as more schools join us. We have also expanded into more sporting disciplines while strengthening relationships among our staff and students,” Mbalirwa said.

In the netball competition, Hamdan Islamic Secondary School, Nakifuma emerged champions after ending the dominance of Greenlight Islamic Secondary School and Madinah Islamic Secondary School, Nsangi. Hamdan defeated Madinah 14-10 in the semifinals before edging Greenlight 29-28 in a thrilling final to lift their maiden ISSAU netball title.

Hamdan had earlier lost to Greenlight during the group stage before avenging that defeat in the championship match.

Hosts Buziga Islamic and Theological Institute claimed the volleyball title after finishing top of a single round-robin tournament ahead of Top Times High School, Kyengera and Bilal Islamic Secondary School, Bwaise.

This year’s edition also marked the introduction of basketball as an official competition. Qamar High School, Bunamwaya made history by becoming the inaugural champions after defeating Greenlight Islamic Secondary School in the final.

The 2026 ISSAU Games began on May 29 with the staff sports day hosted by Madinah Islamic Secondary School, Nsangi, where Bilal Islamic Institute, Kakiri emerged champions before the students’ competitions commenced on June 27.

Bilal Islamic Secondary School, Bwaise hosted the indoor academic competitions, where the school excelled in several categories.

Indoor competition winners:

• Qur’an Recitation (Boys): Bilal Islamic Secondary School, Bwaise
• Qur’an Recitation (Girls): Bilal Islamic Institute, Kakiri
• Public Speaking (Arabic): Bilal Islamic Secondary School, Bwaise
• Hadith: Greenlight Islamic Secondary School, Nansana
• Quiz: Madinah Islamic Secondary School, Nsangi
• Public Speaking (English): Madinah Islamic Secondary School, Nsangi
• Poetry: Madinah Islamic Secondary School, Nsangi

Outdoor competition winners:

• Football: Greenlight Islamic Secondary School, Nansana
• Netball: Hamdan Islamic Secondary School, Nakifuma
• Volleyball: Buziga Islamic and Theological Institute
• Basketball: Qamar High School, Bunamwaya

Following the successful conclusion of the sixth edition, attention now shifts to Kasawo Islamic Secondary School in Mukono, which will host the 2027 ISSAU Games.