Busoga Masaza Cup 2026 launched as 14 teams gear up for August 15 kickoff

The ninth edition of the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup has been officially launched at the Busoga Kingdom headquarters, with officials urging participating teams to uphold integrity and discipline as the popular tournament prepares to return bigger and better.

Speaking at the launch, Busoga Kingdom's 2nd Deputy Prime Minister, Owek. Alhaj Osman Ahmed Noor, emphasized that football should foster genuine competition rather than orchestrated results.

Osman was accompanied by Busoga Kingdom's Minister for Sports, Amin Bbosa, his deputy Daniel Musota, and the Kyabazinga Initiatives team, led by its Executive Director, Owek. Yudaya Babirye.

This year's tournament theme is "Abasadha N'empango mukukomya Ekifuna Mabunda mu Baana Abato".

Osman highlighted the tournament's role in community mobilization, particularly in supporting the Kyabazinga's campaign as a Goodwill Ambassador in the fight against teenage pregnancy.

"Integrity is very important and key in seeing us get good talent out of our people," he said. "As a Kingdom, we don't want wins that are orchestrated by the administrators. We want wins that are made out of the competing teams."

Osman acknowledged past incidents where teams clashed over match outcomes, noting that such behavior tarnishes the tournament's growing reputation. He stressed the need for talent development alongside discipline, highlighting sports' role in uniting communities and nurturing players who have gone on to represent the region at national and international levels.

The tournament, which brings together teams from different masaza (counties) and backgrounds, will officially commence on August 15, 2026, at the Namutumba district headquarters. His Majesty the Kyabazinga, William Gabula Nadiope IV, is expected to grace the opening match between 2023 champions Busiki FC and Bugweri FC. Fourteen teams will compete in this year's edition.

Each of the 14 participating counties will receive two sets of uniforms and five training footballs, courtesy of the Kingdom's Sports Ministry.

Prizes and team support

The winner will pocket sh13 million, the runner-up sh9 million, third place sh6 million, and fourth place sh4 million.

Osman expressed deep appreciation to title sponsors MTN for their continued partnership, which has helped elevate the tournament. He also thanked the Technical Organizing Committee, referees, media, and community members for their contributions.

The Deputy Prime Minister encouraged the media to continue collaborating with the Kingdom's Minister of Sports, Amin Bbosa, for accurate information and called on communities to rally behind the teams while addressing local challenges through sports and other initiatives.

MTN unveils enhanced sponsorship package

Representing MTN, Sponsorship and Events Manager John Paul Okwir and Regional Business Manager Moses Oburu reaffirmed the company's commitment to the Busoga Kingdom.

MTN is injecting significant resources, with collective sponsorship valued at sh550 million this year, to support both the football competition and broader community initiatives.

New attractions this season include Player of the Match awards, where each competing team nominates one player and the Technical Organizing Committee selects the official winner, who receives sh200,000 via mobile money, while the other nominee receives sh100,000. For fans, four supporters per match stand a chance to win sh50,000 each through a raffle for purchases of at least sh5,000 on items such as water, soda, data bundles, or devices from on-site merchants.

Halftime quizzes will focus on men's role in ending teenage pregnancies, with winners receiving sh50,000. The top five merchants by transaction volume per game will receive sh75,000 each, while fans who upload engaging content on TikTok using the hashtag #MTNBusogaMasaza stand to win sh100,000 each, with the top five selected based on engagement.

A grand finale celebration will feature a bull-roasting party in the winning county, complete with entertainment, to formally hand over the trophy.

Okwir described the partnership as a homecoming for him personally and praised the tournament's rapid growth.

"Together we are unstoppable," he said, adding that MTN aims to use the platform to amplify Busoga's vibrant football culture both on and offline.

The MTN Busoga Masaza Cup continues to serve as a major platform for talent discovery, community cohesion, and cultural celebration in the region.