Badminton Uganda expands grassroots revolution across Teso as teachers and students embrace the sport

The drive to grow badminton across Uganda continues to gather momentum, with Badminton Uganda intensifying its grassroots development programme in the Teso sub-region through extensive training of teachers, students, and technical officials.

Led by Uganda Badminton Chief Executive Officer Simon Mugabe, the nationwide initiative aims to establish a strong foundation for the sport in schools and communities by equipping local educators with coaching and tournament management skills.

Speaking during a training session in Soroti District, Mugabe said the federation has made significant progress in covering the Teso region, leaving only a few districts yet to be reached.

“We are almost done with Teso. Out of the entire region, only a few districts remain uncovered. We started in Serere, moved to Kaberamaido, Katakwi, and now Soroti. The response has been very encouraging,” he said.

The programme focuses on empowering teachers with the knowledge required to introduce, coach, and develop badminton players from beginner level through to competitive participation. However, the latest phase has gone beyond coaching by incorporating training for technical officials.

According to Mugabe, this additional component is a game-changer for the development of the sport.

“We are teaching teachers not only how to train players but also how to officiate and manage tournaments. This means schools and districts can now organize competitions independently and fairly without always relying on Badminton Uganda,” he explained.

The training covers tournament organization, court setup, rules and regulations, officiating, scoring systems, and player development pathways. By building local capacity, Badminton Uganda hopes to establish sustainable structures that will allow the sport to thrive in schools throughout the country.

The Teso programme is part of a wider national expansion strategy that will next move to the West Nile region, covering 13 districts, before extending to South and North Karamoja, Busoga, Central Uganda, and eventually the Western region.

“Our goal is to ensure badminton reaches every corner of Uganda. We want schools and communities to own the sport and drive its growth from the grassroots,” Mugabe added.

For many schools in the Teso region, the training represents an opportunity to diversify their sporting programmes and create new pathways for student participation and achievement.

At Soroti Secondary School, games teacher Susan Alice Achola described the training as a transformative experience.

“In the beginning, Soroti SS did not have badminton as a game. We concentrated on football, netball, and handball. While those games have been competitive, we have not always progressed very far,” Achola said.

She noted that the training has provided teachers with practical knowledge on officiating, equipment use, coaching techniques, and player development.

“We have benefited a lot. Now we have the skills to train our students properly. I believe we shall identify and nurture talent, and in future our learners will be able to compete at much higher levels.”

The enthusiasm was echoed by Samuel Ojula Adonis, a teacher at Light Secondary School in Soroti. Ojula revealed that he had first encountered badminton in the 1990s, but the recent training reignited his passion for the sport.

“This programme has reminded me about badminton and its value. The school is going to benefit because I can now train students and prepare them for district competitions, national championships, and potentially the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Associations games,” he said.

He particularly praised the discipline embedded within the sport. “The footwork, serving techniques, rules, and regulations all require players to be disciplined and attentive. Those are valuable life skills for learners.”

The impact of the programme is already being felt among students who are experiencing badminton for the first time.

Jessica Nafuna, a Senior Two student at Soroti Secondary School, said the training had opened her eyes to a new sporting opportunity.

“I am very happy to have learned about badminton. I have discovered many new skills, and I hope to continue improving. The game teaches us exercise, discipline, and teamwork. I believe I can go far if I continue training.”

For many young people, badminton offers an alternative to traditional school sports while providing opportunities for competition, personal growth, and potentially national representation.

Meanwhile, Lucy Achen described the training as her first practical experience with badminton. “I had heard about the game before, but this is my first time playing it. I have really enjoyed it and I want to learn more about both playing and officiating,” she said.

Achen plans to introduce badminton at her school and believes her background in volleyball will help her adapt quickly to the sport.

“There are similarities in movement and coordination. I am excited to take this knowledge back to my learners and help them discover the game.”

As Badminton Uganda continues its nationwide outreach programme, the federation is laying the groundwork for a stronger and more competitive badminton ecosystem across the country.

With Teso now nearing full coverage and expansion plans targeting West Nile, Karamoja, Busoga, Central Uganda, and the Western region, the federation’s vision of a truly national badminton network is steadily becoming a reality.

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