FORT PORTAL, Uganda — The Tooro Kingdom MTN Masaza Cup will resume on Oct. 18, with the outstanding football semifinal set to determine who joins Mwenge South in the final on Oct. 24.
The tournament was suspended following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru IV on Aug. 27. The kingdom has now cleared the way for the fifth edition to continue, with football and netball finals scheduled for Kichwamba Technical College playground.
Deputy Sports Minister Michael Wandera said organisers had met the new king, Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, and agreed to complete the remaining fixtures.
The resumption will begin with the second leg of the semifinal between Fort Portal and Burahya. Burahya goes into the match with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg and needs to protect that lead to reach the final. Fort Portal, meanwhile, must overturn the deficit to keep its title hopes alive.
The winner will face Mwenge South, which booked its place in the final after eliminating Kitagwenda. Mwenge South drew the first leg before securing a 1-0 victory in the return match at Ntara playground, with Joram Seruwagi scoring the decisive goal in the 49th minute.
The football final will take place on Oct. 24, alongside the netball final between Mwenge South and Kitagwenda. Organisers have selected Kichwamba Technical College because its two playing grounds can accommodate the matches and the third place playoffs.
The return of the competition also brings increased financial rewards for participating teams. The football champions will receive Shs15 million, up from the Shs12 million awarded to Kyaka County after winning the 2025 edition.
The football runners up will earn Shs9 million, while the third and fourth placed teams will receive Shs6 million and Shs4 million, respectively. In netball, the champions will take home Shs7 million, with Shs4 million for the runners up, Shs2.5 million for third place and Shs1.5 million for fourth place.
Fans will pay Shs5,000 to attend the finals. Wandera said the kingdom expects a strong turnout, with the king expected to attend as the chief guest. Organisers have also said security arrangements will be in place at the venue.
The fifth edition continues the tournament’s role in promoting community participation and developing sporting talent across Tooro. The competition brings together teams representing the kingdom’s counties and features men’s football and women’s netball.
Kingdom Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Francis Kateeba said completing the suspended tournament was among the outstanding tasks facing the interim administration during its six month mandate.
The kingdom is also looking at additional competitions, including a clan tournament and the Omukama Nyabongo I Cup, which is expected to involve schools and tertiary institutions.
With the semifinal now set for Oct. 18, attention turns to whether Burahya can hold on to its advantage or Fort Portal can fight back to set up a final against Mwenge South.
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