Tooro Masaza Cup resumes after death of King Oyo

MTN Tooro Masaza Cup Fixtures

Sunday 18

Semi final

Second leg

Fort Portal v Burahya 3pm

Aggregate: Burahya lead 2–1

October 24

Mwenge South v winner of Fort Portal/Burahya

Tooro Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Henry Basaliza Mutegeki has called on teams and fans to support the resumption of the MTN Tooro Masaza Cup, which was suspended following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

The tournament resumes on Sunday 18 with the outstanding football semi-final between Fort Portal and Burahya, while the final will be played on October 24 at Uganda Technical College Kichwamba.

“We call upon all participating teams, supporters and the people of Tooro to embrace the resumption of the tournament and turn out in large numbers to support our teams as we bring this competition to a successful completion, but also to welcome His Majesty Omukama,” Basaliza said.

He said the decision followed consultations with King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I and MTN Uganda, the tournament's main sponsor.

“Following a series of meetings and consultations with His Majesty King Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I and MTN Uganda, we have agreed to proceed with and successfully conclude the competition in honour of our Kingdom and its people,” he said.

The tournament was suspended on August 27 by the kingdom's Minister of Youth, Education and Sports, Francis Kateeba, hours before the second leg between Fort Portal and Burahya.

Last week, newly reappointed Acting Prime Minister Calvin Armstrong Rwomiire Akiiki pledged to ensure the competition resumed, describing football as an important tool for uniting communities and young people.

The fifth edition, held under the theme United by Culture, Ignited by Sport, brought together nine counties in three groups. Group A comprised Kyaka, Bunyangabu and Mwenge South; Group B had Burahya, Kitagwenda and Kibale; while Group C featured Fort Portal City, Mwenge North and Ntoroko. The competition also included women's netball and bicycle racing.

Burahya lead Fort Portal 2-1 from the first leg. The winner will face Mwenge South, who beat Kitagwenda 1-0 in the return leg after a goalless first meeting. Oram Seruwagi scored the decisive goal in the 49th minute.

In netball, Mwenge South will face Kitagwenda in the final, while Fort Portal meet Burahya in the third-place match.

Basaliza said the tournament promotes talent development and unity, adding that the King is expected to attend the football final as chief guest.

“The tournament remains an important platform for promoting sports, nurturing talent, strengthening unity among our people, and bringing communities together across the Kingdom. We are pleased that, following these consultations, the competition will resume and provide an opportunity for our teams and supporters to complete this important sporting event,” he added.

Launched in 2022, the competition promotes youth empowerment, cultural preservation and public health awareness. During his reign, King Oyo used it to promote HIV testing, counselling and stigma reduction. He also supported sports such as motorsport, golf, tennis, swimming, rugby and athletics, and donated 50 acres of royal land for a planned sports stadium in Fort Portal.

Football champions will receive Shs15m, runners-up Shs9m, third place Shs6m and fourth place Shs4m. In netball, the winners will earn Shs7m, runners-up Shs4m, third place Shs2.5m and fourth place Shs1.5m.