The 2026 SkyView Boys Schools Cricket Week got underway in Fort Portal on Sunday with a shock result as five-time champions Jinja SS suffered an opening-day defeat to Soroti SS.
Across all grounds, the 20-team tournament bowled off with all sides battling for early points in their group campaigns.
In the headline clash at Kicwamba 1, Soroti SS posted 79 before bowling out Jinja SS for 73 to win by six runs in Group C. Jinja appeared in control of the chase but collapsed late, with Daniel Ecweru producing a decisive spell. Jinja needed 11 runs from the final three overs but managed only four, Ecweru claiming four wickets to seal a remarkable victory for the 2024 champions.
At SLECK 1, hosts Nyakasura School crushed debutants St. Cornelius by eight wickets, bowling them out for 48. Philemon Rwothomio starred with four wickets and 26 off 19 balls, then watched his side knock off the target at 49/2 inside six overs.
Lango College announced themselves in Group D with a thumping 112-run win over Kasese SS. Emmanuel Ogwang smashed an unbeaten 54 to lift Lango to 150/6, then took three wickets as Kasese were skittled for 38.
Masaka SS edged Goodheart SS by 14 runs in Group B, defending 86/9 to hold Goodheart to 72/7. Kira College Butiki rounded off day one with a 66-run win over Shree International in Group A, the duo of Muhaisin Tambulira and a partner doing the damage as Butiki posted 144/5 before bowling Shree out for 78.
The argument doing the rounds in Fort Portal is whether Jinja SS, five-time champions, can regroup from this opening-day wobble or whether the Group C race is already tilting away from them.
Day one results
- Soroti SS 79 beat Jinja SS 73 by 6 runs (Kicwamba 1)
- Nyakasura School 49/2 beat St. Cornelius 48 by 8 wickets (SLECK 1)
- Lango College 150/6 beat Kasese SS 38 by 112 runs (Kicwamba 2)
- Masaka SS 86/9 beat Goodheart SS 72/7 by 14 runs (Nyakasura)
- Kira College Butiki 144/5 beat Shree International 78 by 66 runs (SLECK 2)
Who starred on day one?
Philemon Rwothomio (4 wickets and 26 runs), Daniel Ecweru (4 wickets) and Emmanuel Ogwang (54 not out and 3 wickets) headlined the opening day with all-round displays.
Source: Uganda Cricket
