Busiro appoints Simon Ddungu as coach ahead of 2026 Masaza Cup

With less than two months until the 2026 Masaza Cup begins, preparations across Buganda’s 18 county teams have intensified.

The Masaza Cup is one of Buganda’s most popular football tournaments, blending sport with culture and regional pride.

Busiro Ssaza has appointed experienced coach Simon Ddungu, commonly known as “Ddunga,” as their new head coach. Busiro won the competition in 2022 but have struggled since. Ddungu replaces Denis Kiyimba (“Mulangira”), whose team finished last in their group last season with only nine points and failed to advance past the group stage.

This is Ddungu’s second spell with Busiro. He has also coached several other Ssaza teams, including Mawokota, Mawogola, Gomba, Ssingo, and Bulemeezi. In 2024, Ddungu led Buddu Ssaza to the Masaza Cup title with a 1–0 win over Kyaggwe in the final. However, last season was difficult for him. He was sacked by Gomba after poor results, and later could not turn around Bulemeezi’s fortunes, as they also failed to leave the group stage.

Since winning the title in 2022, Busiro have failed to reach the quarterfinals for three straight seasons. The team’s decline has worried fans and officials, making Ddungu’s appointment a key moment in their rebuilding effort. The 2026 Masaza Cup kicks off on June 13 and runs until the final on October 31.