Tooro Kingdom kicks off Amasaza Cup with HIV awareness campaign

The Tooro Kingdom will leverage the fifth edition of the MTN Amasaza Cup to promote HIV awareness among its subjects.

The championship will officially be launched on Sunday at Humura Church of Uganda Playground with an exhibition match between defending champions Kyaka County and 2025 runners-up Fort Portal City. The group stage will begin next Friday.

Organising Committee Chairperson Kenneth Nkojo said this year's competition is about more than winning trophies, with the kingdom using the platform to encourage people to know their HIV status while strengthening community unity.

"This tournament is not only about football. We want to use it to encourage our people to know their HIV status, promote healthy living, and bring our communities together through sport as we nurture young talent," Nkojo said.

He added that all preparations have been completed and urged players, officials, and fans to embrace discipline and fair play throughout the competition.

"We have completed all necessary preparations and are ready for another successful championship. We call upon all participating counties, players, and supporters to promote peace, fair play, and respect during the tournament," he said.

The championship will be played under a theme encouraging kingdom subjects to know their HIV status, with organisers noting that football remains one of the best platforms to deliver important health messages to communities.

Nine counties will compete in three groups. Group A comprises Kyaka, Bunyangabu, and Mwenge South. Group B consists of Burahya, Kitagwenda, and Kibale, while Group C features Fort Portal City, Mwenge North, and Ntoroko.

The group stage kicks off next Friday with Kyaka hosting Bunyangabu at Humura Church of Uganda Playground. Burahya will entertain Kitagwenda two days later. Other fixtures include Fort Portal City versus Mwenge North, Bunyangabu against Mwenge South, Kitagwenda taking on Kibale, Mwenge North facing Ntoroko, Mwenge South hosting Kyaka, Kibale welcoming Burahya, and Ntoroko playing Fort Portal City.

After the group stage, the competition will move into the knockout phase, with semifinals played on a home-and-away basis. The third-place playoff and final will take place at Buhinga Stadium on September 6.

Nkojo believes the tournament will continue providing opportunities for young footballers to showcase their talent while strengthening unity across the kingdom.

"Every edition gives young players a chance to showcase their ability and earn bigger opportunities. At the same time, the competition strengthens friendship, unity, and development across the counties of Tooro Kingdom," he said.

The tournament had originally been scheduled for May but was postponed after health authorities intensified efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in the country. Last month, Tooro Kingdom officially cleared the return of the championship following consultations between Kingdom Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomire Akiiki and national health authorities, who confirmed that the Ebola situation had significantly improved.

Besides football, this year's championship will also feature women's netball and bicycle racing.

Kyaka County returns as defending football champions after lifting the 2025 title. Goalkeeper Francis Anguzu won the Golden Glove Award, while Fort Portal City's Malik Yasin was named Most Valuable Player. Kyaka's Jonathan Kisaku finished as the top scorer.

The modern Tooro Kingdom Amasaza Cup was launched in 2022 as a multi-sport competition aimed at promoting youth empowerment, preserving the kingdom's cultural identity, and advancing public health awareness across Tooro.