Familiar faces return as Masaza Cup coaches take their places

With only three weeks left before the official kickoff of this year’s Masaza Cup tournament on June 13, excitement continues to build across Buganda as all 18 participating teams finalise their preparations for the kingdom’s most celebrated football competition.

Clubs have now confirmed the coaches who will lead their sides, and Vision Sport has compiled a full list of the tacticians who will be on the touchline when the tournament begins.

Defending champions Buweekula have promoted last season’s assistant coach, Ibrahim Kyobe, to head coach after title-winning manager Felix Ssekabuuza left the club. Kyobe has done the job before, having managed the team in 2020, although Buweekula did not advance past the group stage that year.

Fan favorite Buddu have kept Eric Kisuze despite a poor showing in the previous tournament, where they finished second from bottom in the Bulange Group with only nine points from ten matches. Still, Buddu remain one of the competition’s modern powerhouses, having won the Masaza Cup in 2016, 2021, and 2024.

Record champions Gomba, winners in 2004, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2020, have brought in Felix Ssekabuuza, the coach who guided Buweekula to their first title last season. This is Ssekabuuza’s fourth spell with the Gomba Lions. He was assistant coach during their 2014 victory, later became head coach in 2020, and returned again in 2023 to lead the team to the final.

Mawokota, champions in 2007 and 2013, have reunited with experienced coach Richard Malinga for his fifth stint with the team. Malinga recently boosted his reputation by leading Amus College School to their first national boys’ football title. He previously coached Mawokota from 2020 to 2023 and is seen as a major asset as the team aims to return to the top.

Ssingo have promoted last season’s assistant coach, Emmy Kisaakye, to head coach. The 2015 and 2018 champions hope the young coach can bring a new era of success. He will be assisted by seasoned coach Michael Bukenya, who previously worked at Kabula and adds valuable technical knowledge.

Kyaddondo, whose only Masaza Cup win came in 2008, have appointed Bright Nyanzi as head coach. Though he lacks top-level experience, Nyanzi previously worked as an assistant to Simon Peter Mugerwa at Kyaggwe.

Bulemeezi, champions in 2012, 2019, and 2023, have given the coaching job to Leo Ssekamatte, who was an assistant at Kyaggwe last year. He is expected to build on the team’s recent success.

Buluuli, winners of the 2011 title, have named Brian Sserumagga as head coach after Noah Mugerwa chose not to renew his contract with the Nakasongola district-based side.

Busiro, who won the championship in 2022, have turned to experienced Simon Ddungu, known as “Ddunga,” for his second spell with the club after first managing them in 2021.

Kkooki, champions of the 2006 tournament, are still searching for a second title nearly twenty years later. To end that long wait, the team has appointed Fred Kasekende as head coach.

Kyaggwe, who took bronze last season by beating Bugerere 1–0 in the third-place playoff, will now be led by Ronald Ssali, who takes over from Simon Peter Mugerwa.

The remaining teams have also confirmed their coaches. Michael “Skills” Lukyamuzi will take charge of Bugerere, while Eddy Ssenkaali will handle Butambala. Isma Ndawula has been appointed at Buvuma, Hussein Kato will lead Busujju, Andrew Mugagga takes over Mawogola, Brian Junior Kasasira has been entrusted with Kabula, and Edrisa Walusimbi will guide Ssese Ssaza.