Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Tonny Drileba has been appointed to take up the mantle
Search
BasketBall
By far, Buddo SS has dominated the basketball courts with commanding displays at every level of secondary school competition, both locally and internationally. Much of this success has been attributed to the technical and tactical foundation instilled by long-serving coach John Omondi at the Wakiso-based school. With the secondary school sports season kicking off next week with the USSSA Elite Games, Buddo SS—like many other giants—will be unveiling new faces on the technical bench as well as on the field of play.
In the latest changes, veteran coach Omondi will no longer be on the technical bench. Instead, Tonny Drileba has been appointed to take up the mantle. Drileba is well known in basketball circles, having featured for the national basketball team, the Silverbacks, as well as National Basketball League side Namuwongo Blazers.
Tonny Drileba
It is common for former basketball stars to transition into school-level coaching, where many have proven ambitious and results-oriented, with records to show for it. Henry Malinga at Kibuli SS, Boniface Okello at St Mary’s Kitende, and Jonathan Egau, among others, have demonstrated their impact at their respective schools.
The 33-year-old shooting guard now inherits a legacy built by Omondi, under whom Buddo SS filled its trophy cabinet with national USSSA, FEASSA, and Africa boys’ and girls’ basketball titles in both 3x3 and 5x5 formats. According to the school’s games teacher, Agaba Ronald Amos, the team is ready for the new season.
“We have made changes in our sports technical staff and have also refreshed the teams ahead of the 2026 schools sports season, and we hope for the best as usual,” said Agaba.
Buddo SS are also the reigning USSSA boys’ football champions, in addition to having won several FEASSA Games titles. Similarly, changes have been made to the football technical staff, with Eddie Ssemakula replacing Richard Malinga.
Ssemakula, a renowned schools football coach, left his long-time position at London College Nansana to take up the Buddo role. He will be assisted by Custon Ssembatya, formerly of Greenlight Islamic School, also in Nansana.
In the sports department’s management structure, Agaba will be deputised by Fred Kwizera and assisted by Joram Kato and Ronald Kavuma. “The teams are training tirelessly as the new season begins with the Elite Games due on 26th February, and I think we are ready for the battles of 2026. The department is doing its best to encourage, motivate, and supervise all that is being done, with due guidance from the school head, Mr Lawrence Muwonge,” Agaba added.
Schools in Uganda compete in the Elite Games, National USSSA Ball Games I and II, FEASSA Games, Africa School Sports Games, and International School Sport Federation (ISF) competitions.
Torch Media Africa
