The first national Cup

Khokho Uganda Cup 2026

Two days of chase and tag at Kitebi in Kampala. Every school, club, university, community and district team is invited, and new teams will be taught the rules on the morning of Day 1.

Countdown to the Cup

Kitebi Ground, Kitebi Secondary School, Kampala

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Registration closes on 4 November 2026. No late registration.

7 and 8 Nov: two days of play, 2026
2: categories: Senior (15 and above) and Junior (under 15)
12: players a team: 7 playing and 5 substitutes
4 Nov: registration closes, no late entries

Everyone is invited

This Cup is a developmental tournament. Technical officials will explain the rules to new teams on the morning of Day 1, so even a team that learned Khokho last month will learn as it plays. The aim is to grow the game, not only to win.

Coaches will watch every match to pick talent for the Uganda Khokho Cranes. Read the full story of the Cup.

How to register

Choose your category: Senior (15 and above) or Junior (under 15).
List 12 players and 2 officials, a registered coach and a team manager.
Send the list to the secretariat before 4 November 2026.

WhatsApp 0782898066 Or contact the secretariat

Competition rules and regulations

Read these carefully before you register. They are adapted from the International Kho Kho Federation and Ultimate Kho Kho rules and domesticated for Uganda. 42 rules in 12 parts.

Learn the full game

1CategoriesThe Cup is played in two categories.

a
Senior. Players aged 15 years and above.
b
Junior. Players under 15 years.

2Team compositionWho makes up a team.

a
Players. Each team has 12 players: 7 playing and 5 substitutes.
b
Minimum to start. A team must have at least 9 players to start a match.
c
Officials. Each team must have 1 coach and 1 team manager, and both must be registered.
d
One team only. No player may play for more than one team in the tournament.
e
Team lists. Teams and clubs must register their players, or send a list of their players, before the deadline.

3Eligibility and registrationOpen to every school, club and community.

a
Open to all. Schools, clubs, universities, community teams and district teams can enter.
b
Deadline. Registration closes on 4 November 2026. There is no late registration.
c
Team list. Every team submits a list of 12 players and 2 officials.
d
Fitness. All players must be medically fit. The Federation provides first aid only.
e
Uniform. Teams must play in full uniform with numbers.

4Tournament format and league pointsThe format depends on how many teams register.

Format
Decided on the last day. The format will be decided by the number of teams registered on the last day of registration.
1
Points. A win earns 2 points, a tie 1 point and a loss 0 points.
2
Ties in a group. If teams are level on points in a group, the winner is decided by head-to-head first, then score difference, then the fewest fouls.

5Field and match timeThe field, the posts and the clock.

a
Field. The field is 19 m by 16 m, the standard Khokho field.
b
Posts. Two wooden posts, each 120 cm high.
c
Match time. Senior men and women play 2 innings of 14 minutes, made of 4 turns of 7 minutes (7-7-7-7). That is 28 minutes of play, with a 9-minute break.
d
Each inning. Each inning has 7 minutes of attacking and 7 minutes of defending.

6Basic rules of playA short guide for teams that are new to the game.

a
The chase. Seven players of the chasing team sit in a row on their knees, facing alternate directions. One chaser, the attacker, stands to chase.
b
Kho. The attacker gives a loud and clear "Kho!" from behind the sitting teammate to hand over the chase. Kho must be given from behind.
c
Direction. Once a chaser starts in a direction, he cannot cross the sitting line. He must go round the post.
d
Free zone. To change direction, the attacker must run and reach the free zone.
e
Out. A defender is out when the attacker touches him with the palm, without a foul, or when he crosses the boundary.
f
Fouls. The referee calls a foul if Kho is not given properly, the chaser goes the wrong way, sitting players move early, there is obstruction, or there is rough play. When a foul is called, the chase stops.
g
Dives. No extra points are given for a sky dive or a pole dive in this Cup.

7ScoringHow points are won in a match.

a
Each defender out. The chasing team scores 2 points for every defender who is out.
b
A new batch. When all 3 defenders of a batch are out before time, a new batch enters immediately.
c
The winner. The team with the most points after 4 turns wins.

8Kit and dress codeWhat players wear.

a
Compulsory. A jersey with a number, shorts or trousers, and sports shoes with no studs or metal. Knee caps, a rubber watch and leggings are recommended.
b
Nothing sharp. No jewellery or sharp objects are allowed on the field.
c
Captains. Captains must wear an armband.

9OfficiatingWho runs each match.

a
Match officials. Each match has 1 chief referee, 2 umpires, 1 timekeeper and 1 scorer.
b
Final decision. The referee's decision is final.
c
Approaching officials. Only the captain or the coach may approach the officials, and must do so respectfully.

10Discipline and code of conductFair play is part of the game.

a
Zero tolerance. There is zero tolerance for fighting, abusing officials or unsportsmanlike behaviour.
b
Cards. A red card means suspension for 1 match. Two yellow cards also mean suspension for 1 match.
c
Walking out. A team that walks out of a match loses 2 points and may be disqualified.

11Protests and appealsHow to challenge a decision.

a
In writing. A protest must be lodged in writing by the team manager within 30 minutes after the match, with a fee of UGX 30,000.
b
The fee. The protest fee is not refunded if the protest is overruled.
c
Jury of Appeal. The Jury of Appeal is the CEO, the Technical Director and the chief referee.

12Why every team is invitedThis Cup is there to grow the game.

Day 1
Learn as you play. This is a developmental tournament. Technical officials will explain the rules to new teams on the morning of Day 1. Even if your team is new, you will learn. The aim is to grow the game, not only to win.

Signed: Technical Director, Khokho Uganda Federation. For registration, contact the secretariat on WhatsApp 0782898066.