The MTN Uganda-sponsored Tooro Amasaza Cup returned in full force over the weekend with two exhilarating matches in Kabarole and Kyenjojo districts.

In the Saturday clash, Burahya County registered a comfortable 4-1 victory over Kitagwenda County at the packed Kyembogo Datic Playground in Kabarole district.

However, it was Kitagwenda that opened the scoring but Burahya quickly equalized with the game heading to halftime all square.

In the second half, Burahya’s coach, Bernard Musonge, rallied his team to play stronger and they responded by netting three more goals, capitalizing on Kitagwenda’s missed opportunities.

“We have a more organized team now and are looking forward to more wins,” stated Burahya official Muhumuza Crosby, reflecting on their improvements since their opening match loss to Mwenge Central.

Kitagwenda’s coach, Brian Walusimbi, voiced concerns about the playing field but remained hopeful for their upcoming crucial match against Mwenge South.

The action continued on Sunday as Mwenge North faced off against Kyaka County at the Kyarusozi Playground in Kyenjojo district.

Kyaka emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win. The solitary goal was scored in the first half, and Kyaka’s solid defense maintained their lead until the final whistle.

Kyaka County Member of Parliament and team patron, Tom Bright, expressed his joy at the victory and thanked the organizing committee for their efforts.

“We are overwhelmed by this victory. I thank the players, fans, organizing committee, the Kingdom of Tooro for this opportunity and MTN for the partnership,” he said.

Looking Ahead

The Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup, played since 2004, continues to be a significant event in the region, drawing large crowds and fostering a spirit of togetherness.

The tournament will proceed with more matches in the coming weekends, keeping the excitement alive for fans and players alike.

Uganda Premier League side URA Football Club has confirmed the departure of defender Najib Fesali.

Fesali will depart from the Tax Collectors’ camp after a stint of five years.

The development was made via the club’s official website today Monday, July 1, 2024.

“Defender Najib Fesali has departed the club following the expiration of his contract,” the statement partly reads.

Fesali joined the Tax Collectors from Kyagwe Ssaza in 2019. Since then, the defender has experienced growth as a player.

While at the club, Fesali has played 52 games accumulating 4034 minutes. He scored four goals and made one assist.

Reports indicate Fesali has completed a deal with UPL side BUL FC.

At BUL, Fesali will join the club as a direct replacement for Ronald Otti who joined Kitara on a one-year employment contract.

Fesali will soon reunite with Abbey Bogere Kikomeko with whom they worked at Jinja Secondary School, a strong side in school football.

• Regional League Playoffs | Results
• Paidha Angels 2-0 Northern Gateway

Paidha Black Angles made an emotional return to the FUBA Big League after a successful campaign in the Northern Regional League.

Paidha Black Angels secured a 2-0 victory against Northern Gateway in the second leg of the promotional playoffs at Bar Okoro Stadium.

The two sides fired blanks in the first round that was played at UTC Ground in Lira, a home for Paidha Black Angels.

It was a cagey start in the highly attended game as the two sides were seeking a ticket in the second tier.

Northern Gateway kickstarted on the front foot seeking a first-half goal but the hosts’ backline stood tall and firm.

At the end of the first half, neither side had seen the back of the net as they extended the fight to the last 45 minutes of the game.

Benjamin Opakrwoth broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute after guiding home Yoacel Raymond’s delivery in front of the goal.

The goal sparked off a jubilation mood as the fans got off their seats to chant and rally behind the boys.

It was an electric end to the game as Juma Lutakome’s header found the back of the net in the 95th minute.

The 2-0 victory earned Paidha Black Angels a ticket to the Big League since they got relegated in 2021.

Attacking midfielder Keziron Kizito has completed a permanent transfer from Zesco United to Kanshashi Dynamos.

Kizito has committed to Kanshashi Dynamos after putting pen on a two-year employment contract that will keep him at the club until 2026.

The agile midfielder joined Kanshashi Dynamos on loan during the second round of the season and the Zambian side was impressed with his services.

Though the campaign was not successful, at his worst Kizito managed to score a goal and also made an assist to keep at the side.

The Ugandan midfielder was announced over the weekend as the club added that they were going to start early preparations ahead of the next campaign.

Kanshashi Dynamos was demoted to Zambia’s second division ending their stay in the top flight.

Kanshashi finished 17th on the log of 18 teams. They managed to collect 35 points in 34 games after eight wins, 11 draws and 15 losses.

Kizito has previously played for Vipers and KCCA in Uganda. He has also featured for AFC Leopards in Kenya and Kerala Blasters in India.

SC Villa pacy forward Patrick Jonah Kakande scoops four awards at the 2023/24 Uganda Premier League season awards at Kampala Sheraton Hotel.

Kakande was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) to climax the exciting season of the youngster who guided SC Villa to glory in the recent season.

Having played 26 games, Kakande scored nine goals and made four assists on top of acquiring five man-of-the-match accolades.

To secure the accolade, Kakande beat stiff competition from the league’s top scorer Muhammad Shaban, defender Ronald Otti, forward Denis Omedi and midfielder Ronald Ssekiganda.

On the same night of recognising excellence, Kakande was named Players’ player of the season, young player of the Season and also named in the Best XI.

Other Winners

• Coach of the Season: Dusan Stojanovic
• Coaches player of the season – Denis Omedi
• Goalkeeper of the season – Chrispus Kusiima
• Defender of the Season – Ronald Otti
• Midfielder of the Season – Ronald Ssekiganda
• Most Clean Sheets – Tom Ikara
• Most Assists – Abraham Tusubira
• Top Scorer – Muhammad Shaban
• Goal of the season – Yunus Sentamu
• Fair Play Team of the season – Vipers SC
• Platinum Award – Henry Balamaze

Best XI of the Season

Chrispas Kusiima (GK), Joseph Dhata, Nicholas Mwere, Ronald Otti, Kenneth Semakula, Ronald Ssekiganda, Joel Sserunjogi, Abraham Tusubiira, Muhammad Shaban, Patrick Jonah Kakande, Denis Omedi

MTN Uganda, in proud partnership with the Busoga Kingdom, earlier today launched the 7th edition of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup.

The announcement was made at a grand event held at the Busoga Kingdom Hall, with representatives from both MTN Uganda and the Busoga Kingdom in attendance.

This year’s sponsorship package includes both financial and in-kind contributions, underscoring MTN’s dedication to making the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup 2024 bigger and better than ever before. With the launch, MTN Uganda reaffirms its commitment to youth development, sports excellence, and community unity in the Busoga Region.

Denis Harindimana, MTN Uganda’s Eastern Region Head of Marketing, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament.

“We as MTN Uganda are proud to be partners with Busoga Kingdom in a number of activities. Above all, we are proud of working with the kingdom in its search for talent identification. We therefore commit ourselves more with a bigger sponsorship package that will make the competition bigger and better this year, given the large crowds that we saw in the last edition,” Harindimana said.

The tournament will officially kick off on August 3, 2024, with an opening match between Bugweri and the defending champions Busiki at the Bugweri District Headquarters playground.

The groupings for this year’s competition were meticulously drawn during a meeting held at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters, attended by team chairmen and CEOs.

The groups are as follows:

• Nendha: Busiki, Budiope, Bulamogi, Bugweri
• Mawembe: Bugabula, Bunhole Bunanumba, Bokono
• Bukowe: Kigulu, Bunha, Bukooli Bugiri, Luuka
• Kagulu: Butembe, Buzaya, Bukooli Namayingo

Quarterfinal Matchups

• Winner Nendha vs Runners-up Mawembe
• Winner Mawembe vs Runners-up Nendha
• Winner Bukowe vs Runners-up Kagulu
• Winner Kagulu vs Runners-up Bukowe

The winners will then advance to the semi-finals and ultimately, the final match, where the champions of the 7th edition will be crowned.

This year, the cash prizes have been increased to motivate and reward the top-performing teams. The winning team will receive UGX 13 million, the second place UGX 9 million, third place UGX 6 million, and fourth place UGX 4 million.

The Chief Guest, Osman Noor Ahmed, the Second Deputy Minister in Obwakyabazinga bwa Busoga, commended the discipline observed in the previous edition, which contributed to the continued sponsorship.

“The Busoga Masaza Cup football tournament cannot take its due course without our sponsors, MTN Uganda. It is through the discipline from the last edition and the large crowds that our sponsors continue their support. Therefore, let’s maintain total discipline so that such tournaments can continuously be sponsored,” Noor Ahmed said.

Day Two Fixtures (August 10)

• Bukono vs Bugabula
• Luuka vs Kigulu
• Bukooli Namayingo vs Butembe

Uganda Premier League side BUL FC has confirmed the addition of Ibrahim Kirya to boost their technical bench.

The development was confirmed on Wednesday evening via the club’s official website.

“BUL FC is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Kirya as an assistant coach on a two-year contract and begins his new role immediately,” the statement partly reads.

According to the club’s statement, Kirya joins the Eastern Giants as an assistant who will work alongside Simeone Masaba and James Magala under the guidance of Abbey Kikomeko Bogere.

Speaking to the BUL media team, Kirya revealed that he is glad to return home, and so he seeks to help his home club attain the long-awaited success.

“I am a born of this area, and BUL is our home team, so I have come back home to train my home team. I am here to bring the glory days of Busoga,” he stated.

“Since 1980, the region has not had a team win the league title, but together, we shall fight to see that BUL FC win the league very soon if not next season,” he added.

Kirya joins the Eastern Giants from SC Villa, where he worked as the head of scouting last season. He has also had coaching spells at URA FC, Masavu FC, Lweza FC, Tooro United, and Wakiso Giants.

In the Buganda Masaza Cup, Kirya won two titles with Gomba (2020) and Bulemeezi (2023) before he was recently named as Buwekula’s technical director.

Uganda Premier League side KCCA Football Club has tied down young custodian Humphrey Oyirwoth in a five-year contract.

The development was confirmed via the club’s official website on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

“Humphrey Oyirwoth has committed his future to KCCA FC until the end of the 2028-29 season,” the statement partly reads.

“The young goalkeeper signed his senior contract with KCCA FC and will be part of the 2024-25 squad,” it added.

According to the club, Oyirwoth has previously trained with KCCA’s reserve side, and his development has greatly impressed the technical team at the club.

“I am delighted to commit my future to KCCA FC. From the first day, I started training with the club. I made a vow to myself that I signed for this club, and I am glad it has started,” the website quoted the youngster.

“The hard work starts now, and I have got to work my way to the top. I have been surrounded by wonderful goalkeepers and coaches at the club who have helped me develop into a better player.”

“I will continue learning from them. I know I have got to work extra hard to earn my place, and I will do exactly that going forward,” the custodian concluded.

Oyirwoth is gifted with fine reflexes but also comfortable with playing from the back, among other attributes that make up a modern custodian.

Mbarara City head coach Charles Livingstone Mbabazi has opened the lid on the cause of his addiction and depression suffered in the last 10 years.

In an emotional post via his social media handle, Mbabazi expressed his apologies and promised a great change as he kicks starts a journey of transformation.

“I want to apologise to anyone I have offended and wronged in my life, especially the coaches, chairmen of clubs, the fans and others,” Mbabazi stated.

“I have been living a life of lies since my wife passed away ten years ago. I have been drinking a lot to forget her but I have to accept that she died so that I can move on and be a better dad to my children,” he added.

Mbabazi’s wife deliberately poisoned herself and the two children. The wife passed away but the children were saved after being rushed to hospital.

The gaffer went on to thank each and everyone who supported him and gave him an opportunity. “This comes from the bottom of my heart to thank everyone who supported me and gave me an opportunity to work for them during my condition and during those tough times.”

He further notes that the transformation process is not going to be easy as he seeks continued support and prayers. “It’s not going to be easy but I am ready for the new challenge. The change or new me is for my family and not anyone else and I still need your support and prayers during my transformation,” he concluded.

Mbarara City recently announced Mbabazi as their new head coach replacing Wasswa Bbosa who was at the helm of the club in the previous campaign.

The kick-off dates of the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League have been confirmed through an official document released by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).

The latest development from the federation confirmed the highly anticipated campaign will get underway on Friday, September 13, 2024.

However, before the league kicks off, the fans will have a chance to see some of their teams in the FUFA Super Eight tournament as well as the FUFA Super Cup.

The Super Eight tournament is planned to get underway on Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 25, 2024.

This tournament has been put in place to help ignite the teams and also tune the party mood of the fans ahead of the upcoming tournament.

Then the Super Cup will have the Uganda Premier League champions (SC Villa) and Uganda Cup champions (Kitara FC) lock horns on Friday, August 30.

In the same document, FUFA confirmed that the transfer window is officially opening on Monday, July 1 before it closes on Saturday, September 21.