Kalema's Masaza Cup success story highlights tournament's talent pipeline

Long before Jimmy Kalema became the hero who fired Kitara FC to Stanbic Uganda Cup glory, he was another ambitious youngster chasing a football dream on the dusty pitches of Kiboga.

Born to Teopista Birungi and the late Ben Kimuli, Kalema grew up in Kiboga, where football quickly became part of everyday life. Surprisingly, his first role on the pitch was in defence. While attending a local football academy during primary school, he featured as a left-back until one of his coaches recognised his natural attacking instincts and pushed him into a striking role. That decision changed everything.

He studied at St. Andrews Primary School before continuing at St. Paul Kyamutwe, popularly known as Rock Base, and later completed his primary education at St. Balikuddembe Primary School in Kyankwanzi. His talent continued to flourish alongside his education, eventually earning him a place at Kiboga United in the FUFA Regional League.

Even while still a student at Light Secondary School and later Vienna Secondary School, Kalema was making headlines after scoring 11 league goals for Kiboga United. His performances earned him admission to Buddo Secondary School, where experienced coach Simon Peter Mugerwa took charge of his development.

The breakthrough moment arrived in 2022 when Mugerwa was appointed Busiro head coach for the Airtel Masaza Cup. Convinced Kalema was ready for the challenge, he handed the youngster an opportunity that would alter his football career.

"I looked at this as a big opportunity, and I set myself a target of scoring at least four goals in the tournament. I surpassed my target and scored five goals, contributing to Busiro's first Masaza Cup title in 18 years," Kalema recalls.

The tournament immediately elevated his profile. Rather than settling after winning the title, he continued exploring new opportunities, joining Mawokota for the 2023 edition, where the team finished third. In 2024, he crossed to Buweekula and once again helped his side secure a bronze medal while contributing four goals.

Returning to Buweekula in 2025, Kalema approached the competition knowing it would probably be his final appearance in the Masaza Cup. Determined to leave a lasting legacy, he delivered the finest campaign of his career.

His seven goals powered Buweekula to their first Masaza Cup crown since 2004, while he walked away with both the Golden Boot and the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.

Those performances convinced Kitara FC that they had found their next striker. Negotiations between player and club were already underway before the Masaza Cup final had even been played.

"I played my last games for Buweekula while we were already in talks with Kitara FC. By the time I finished the final against Ssingo, my contract with Kitara was almost complete," he says.

Soon after joining the Hoima-based club, Kalema repaid their faith by scoring the decisive goal against SC Villa to hand Kitara another Stanbic Uganda Cup triumph.

Although clubs such as Express FC and URA FC also expressed interest, Kalema chose Kitara because he believed it would offer him consistent playing time and the ideal environment to continue developing his game.

Looking back, he has no hesitation in identifying the competition that opened those doors.

"The Masaza Cup has not only given me an opportunity to exhibit my talent, but it has also helped me improve through the guidance from coaches and fellow players. I strongly believe the tournament continues to bring many young players into the spotlight, just like it did for me," he says.

His ambitions now stretch beyond Uganda. Kalema hopes to earn a place with the Uganda Cranes before eventually securing a professional contract abroad—goals he believes can be achieved through patience and hard work.

His advice to young footballers reflects the values that have guided his own career:

"My fellow players need to work hard and build their careers first instead of chasing money. You can get money and it gets finished, but without good performance, you cannot earn more of it."

Kalema is only one example of the impact the Airtel Masaza Cup continues to have on Ugandan football. Since its launch in 2004, the competition has developed dozens of players who have progressed to the Uganda Premier League, represented the Uganda Cranes, and earned contracts across Africa and beyond.

Among its distinguished alumni are Hassan Mubiru, who recently completed a move to Azam FC; Yunus Ssentamu; Nicholas Kabonge; Emma Okwi; and Farouk Miya, whose journey from Mawokota to captaining the Uganda Cranes remains one of the competition's greatest success stories.

Buganda Kingdom Premier, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, says nurturing young talent remains one of the tournament's central objectives.

"The Masaza Cup offers employment, builds unity, and brings in revenue. It is a true platform for talent and transformation," Mayiga says.

Airtel Uganda's Manager for Communications and Corporate Affairs, David Birungi, believes the company's long-standing investment has played a significant role in shaping Ugandan football.

"For the years Airtel has supported the Masaza Cup, we have seen many talented players progress to the national team and professional clubs abroad. We remain committed to investing in the tournament to continue producing talent that contributes to the growth of Ugandan football," Birungi says.

More than two decades after its introduction, the Airtel Masaza Cup has evolved into far more than a regional football competition. It has become a proven talent factory, a platform for youth empowerment, and an avenue through which countless players have transformed their lives.

Jimmy Kalema's journey is perhaps one of its finest modern success stories—a player whose career was shaped by opportunity, whose talent flourished on the Masaza stage, and whose future continues to look brighter with every goal he scores.