Busoga Kingdom, in collaboration with the gigantic Telecom company MTN Uganda, on Saturday launched the seventh edition of the annual Busoga Masaza Cup. The mega launch was organized at the Kingdom’s headquarters in Bugembe, Jinja City.
The high geared tournament’s action will kick off August 3, 2024, with Bugweri hosting defending champions – Busiki in the opener at the Bugweri district headquarters.
According to Owekitibwa Amin Bosa, the Kingdom’s minister for sports, the final match is scheduled for October on a date that will be communicated in the due process.
While addressing journalists after the launch, Busoga Kingdom’s second deputy prime minister Owek. Osman Noor applauded the chiefdoms, media, sponsors, and all the partners for supporting the championship that is unearthing and nurturing great talents in the region.
“It’s indeed a great honour to have our sponsors – MTN and other partners who have played a big part in ensuring that we have this tournament.”
“MTN has been a strong pillar in making sure that we have the tournament taking place. It’s very important for the Basoga to understand that without them, it would be hard to have this tournament as one of the best run in the country.”
The premier said that MTN is not only sponsoring the Busoga Masaza Cup but also several initiatives in accordance with the many partnerships the corporate company has with “Obwakyabazinga Bwa Busoga.”
According to the deputy prime minister, this year’s total package from MTN will click a tune of five hundred and fifty million shillings (Shs.550M), and this will come in cash form while a certain percentage will be in kind.
The fourteen teams set to take part in the tournament will receive five quality balls and two sets of uniforms each.
The champion will receive thirteen millions (13M) in prize money, in addition to the beautiful trophy. The runners-up will march home with nine millions (9M), the third placed team will smile to the bank with six millions (6M), while the fourth placed side will pocket four millions (4M).
Mr. Denis Harindimana, the MTN Eastern region marketing manager, said, “We are glad to be part of this activity. We have been part of it, and we shall continue to partner with the Busoga region across the social and economic fields, such as sports, because it’s through this that we can identify the raw talents out there.”
He stated that Busoga remains a strategic partner for MTN, and they shall continue to leverage all the opportunities given by the Kingdom.
Busiki are the defending champions having defeated Butembe 1-0 in last year’s final at Kakindu stadium in Jinja.
Past Winners: 2016: Bukoli Bugiri, 2017: Butembe, 2018: Kigulu, 2019: Kigulu. 2020 and 2021, the tournament was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, Bukooli Namayingo emerged the champion while Busiki chiefdom shined in 2023 with the tournament trophy.
This year’s edition is expected to officially be launched by the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, who will grace the first match in Kaliro chiefdom.
