FEASSSA Games: How Uganda’s Vipers SC fuels St. Mary’s Kitende’s East Africa dominance

Record netball champions St. Mary’s School Kitende (SMASK) once again etched their name in gold, successfully defending their netball title at the 22nd edition of the FEASSSA Games in Kakamega County, Western Kenya.

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SMASK outmuscled fellow Ugandan side Buddo S.S with a commanding 46-30 victory in the final held at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology on Thursday, 21 August.

While their netball triumph offered a golden consolation, their boys’ football team fell short and was sent packing early after Butere Boys and Musingu High School overpowered them in Group A.

Still, SMASK’s legacy in East African school sports remains firmly inked in the history books.

The Ugandan powerhouse is no stranger to silverware. Domestically, they have lifted the high school football cup 11 times, a record they share with Kibuli SS.

On the regional stage, they enjoyed a decade-long reign in boys’ football, winning ten consecutive East Africa titles between 2003 and 2013, and ruled netball with a record 14 consecutive crowns between 2003 and 2017.

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Their football pedigree is unmatched, having clinched 14 titles out of 22 editions, the latest coming in 2023 in Huye, Rwanda.

But what is the secret behind this sporting juggernaut?

Speaking to Mozzart Sport, St. Mary’s School Kitende head coach, Mukumu Joachim, pulled back the curtain.

He revealed that the school’s dominance is no accident; it is the fruit of a deep-rooted partnership with Ugandan heavyweights, Vipers SC, seven-time national champions.

"Vipers Sports Club is currently the best in Uganda. They’ve invested heavily in the school, from infrastructure to talent development," said Mukumu moments after his team’s 2-0 victory over CFGK at Bukhungu Stadium.

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He added, "St. Mary’s Kitende is the feeder team to Vipers. That’s why you see our players are well-trained and highly talented.

The leadership at Vipers, led by president Lawrence Mulindwa, not only values sports but also ensures the players get quality education.

It makes them a double-edged sword, sharp on the pitch and equally ready for life beyond it."

Vipers’ fingerprints are all over SMASK’s success story.

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The school, founded in 2001 by Mulindwa to provide world-class education and nurture sports talent, has become both an academic beacon and a sporting factory.

Through this symbiotic relationship, SMASK has produced a constellation of football stars who transitioned seamlessly to the senior ranks, including Godfrey Walusimbi, Farouk Miya, Murushid Juuko, Ismail Watenga, Mike Mutyaba, Nicholas Wadada, and many more.