History was made on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at King George Memorial Stadium, Tororo, as Rubongi Army SS (RASS) defeated defending champions Tororo Progressive Academy (TOPA) 1-0 to claim the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) Tororo District Boys’ Football Trophy. In doing so, they prevented TOPA from securing the title for a third consecutive year, following their victories in 2023 and 2024.
Road to the Final
The USSSA Tororo District Boys Football final was originally scheduled for Friday, March 14, 2025, at King George Memorial Stadium, Tororo, between RASS and Manjasi High School. Manjasi had earlier defeated TOPA 1-0 in the semifinals. However, a petition filed by TOPA led to the postponement of the final to Monday, March 17, 2025. By Monday, a decision had been made, and anticipation for the final spread rapidly.
In their semifinal clash, RASS faced St. Peter’s College Tororo (SPECTRO), a strong footballing side in Tororo. The match ended in a goalless draw. During the penalty shootout, RASS goalkeeper Tweheyo Atony made a crucial save, adding to his impressive record of stopping four penalties in the quarterfinals. RASS emerged victorious with a 4-2 win in the shootout.
How the USSSA Tororo District Final Played Out
The final was a rematch of the previous year’s showdown, where TOPA had convincingly defeated RASS 3-0. It is said that RASS was eagerly hoping for a chance to face TOPA again and exact their revenge. This time, their prayers were answered swiftly. Despite being considered underdogs by some, the young, confident, and determined RASS team remained resolute. In addition, TOPA Coach Oundo was actually facing off with his own student Ochaya Kenneth,
By 11:00 AM, the match was flagged off by Tororo Municipality Local Council Three (LC3) Chairperson Lil Jayz. The tension was palpable as the reigning champions, TOPA, were put under immediate pressure. Within the first minute, RASS had already registered a shot on target. By the 30th minute, RASS managed to score the only goal of the match through Striker Owora Eddy. Some attributed the goal to the TOPA goalkeeper’s rushed decision-making, while others blamed the defense for reacting too slowly.
In the second half, RASS focused on maintaining their lead, occasionally delaying play to frustrate their opponents. With their goalkeeper having saved a total of seven penalties before the final, they remained confident that they could either secure the win or hold out for a penalty shootout if necessary. The RASS players worked as a cohesive unit to protect their lead, despite TOPA’s efforts to find an equalizer. Football analysts observed that TOPA relied too heavily on their star striker, Owici, a strategy that ultimately failed to yield results.
When the final whistle blew, it marked not only a moment of relief for RASS but also the beginning of jubilant celebrations—from the pitch to the streets of Tororo and all the way to Rubongi Army SS.
Lessons Stopped to Celebrate a Historic Win
Rubongi Army SS is known for its strict academic policies, which often prevent students from leaving class for sports events, except for the players themselves. However, this time, some classes were released to watch the final, creating an electric atmosphere of support for the team.
To commemorate the victory, afternoon lessons were called off as the Boys’ Football Team received a hero’s welcome. A special assembly was held, where the team captain, coach, team manager, and head teacher addressed an enthusiastic crowd of students, who cheered and celebrated this historic moment in the 21-year-old school’s history.
What’s Next?
Rubongi Army SS, Tororo Progressive Academy, Manjasi High School, and St. Peter’s College Tororo will now represent Tororo District at the regional competitions, set to take place in Busia. We wish these teams the best of luck!
Match Highlights