Sixty-four teams have been drawn to play in the round of 64 in the 2024 Stanbic Uganda Cup scheduled to start on January 18 to 31 at various grounds.

The draw has brought together two football legends who participated in the inaugural Uganda Cup match in 1971, Ismail Kirundi (aka Minora) and John Baptist Lubogo who both appeared for Coffee FC that won Simba FC 2-1 at Nakivubo.

Before conducting the draws, Kirungi urged football authorities to bring back more football activity at Nakivubo Stadium specifically as the home of clubs that don’t have established stadiums.

“I think Nakivubo being in the centre of town, can attract more fans at particular matches so that we can the vibe that used to happen in the old days. During our days, football was a big deal and the stadium would be filled,” Kirungi reckoned.

His counterpart, Lubogo said although he can no longer watch games, he thinks giving big recognition and rewarding players can be the only way to revive the love of football in the country for the benefit of all the stakeholders including the players, fans, and administrators.

FUFA executive member and chairman of the licencing committee, Rogers Mulindwa hailed Stanbic Bank for sponsoring the 50th edition of the Uganda Cup that started in 1971.

“The golden anniversary has come at the time when Uganda has progressed well in football to the extent that the country is one of the hosts of AFCON 2027 and we are continuing with Uganda Cup,” Mulindwa noted.

He affirmed that the refereeing standard should be good and called on match officials to be more efficient especially since Uganda is yet to acquire the Video Assistant Referee (VAL) system.

Mulindwa also called on the fans to come in big numbers to cheer their teams despite the exciting period of the AFCON matches currently taking place.

The head of competitions at FUFA, Isha Nalule has given the criteria of having green grass pitches and CAF-approved turf as the minimum standard for teams to host matches.

She said that there is sh180m that the sponsor Stanbic Bank staked as prize money for the tournament where the winner will walk away with sh50m.

Full List of Team Draws

1.  Medical FC (Yumbe) v Simba Young – Yumbe

2.  Nsambya FC v Arua Young – St. Peters Nsambya Kampala

3.  Tubur United v Kaaro Karungi FC – Tubur P.S Soroti

4.  Kireka FC v Young Elephant FC – Kampala Quality

5. SC Tawai v SC Villa – Angweibange P.S Dokolo

6. Synergy FC v Mbarara City – Ndeba Kayunga

7.  Busei FC v Maroons FC – Iganga Saza Ground

8.  Kirinya FC v Gaddafi FC – Luzira Prisons Kampala

9.   Northern Gateway FC v Calvary FC – UTC Lira City

10.   Pakwach Young Stars v Booma FC- St. Marys Omachi

11.   Nakapelimoru FC vBlack Power FC -St. Daniel Comboni Kotido

12.   Nothern Division FC v NEC FC – Mbale Municipal

13.   Nebbi Central v Kitara FC  - Luo Stadium Pakwach

14.   Odramachaku FC v Solitilo Bright Stars – Divine Palace Arua

15.   Acholi United v Lugazi FC – Kitgmu Boma Ground

16.   Iganga Young v Ndejje University FC – Iganga Saza Ground

17.   Rugarama FC v Kigezi Home Boys FC – Rugarama P.S Ntungamo

18.   St. George FC v Police FC – Masindi Stadium

19.   Fort City v Kyetume FC – Bukwali Ground -Kabalore

20.   Admin FC v KCCA FC – Mbale Municipal

21.   Rwenzori Lions v Kiyinda Boys – Kasese Airline Ground

22.   MYDA FC v Express FC – Kongunga PS Bukedea

23.   Kyambogo FC v Wakiso Giants – Kyambogo UPK Kampala

24.   Super Eagles Lugongwe FC v Jinja North FC – Kassanda Ssaza Ground

25.   Kumi United v URA FC – Kuumi Booma Ground

26.   Simba FC v BUL FC – Wakiso Namulonge

27.   Mbogo FC v Mbale Heroes FC – Kawempe Muslim Kampala

28.   Dove FC v Kataka FC – Katusabe Ground Masindi

29.   Pajule FC v UPDF FC – Pajule PS Pader

30.   Kyambura Rasters FC v Onduparaka FC – Kyambura Ground Rubirizi

31.   Lugazi Stars v Vipers SC – Buikwe P Ground

32.   Bushenyi Veterans v Busoga United – Bushenyi Main Stadium