Butembe Chiefdom is celebrating after emerging as the defending champion of the 2024 MTN Busoga Masaza Cup.
In a closely contested match at Kyabazinga Stadium in Bugembe, Jinja City, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, Butembe FC secured a 1-0 victory over Bukono FC.
Ivan Nakalanga, Butembe’s star striker, opened the scoring for the Jinja-based team with the only goal of the match in the final minutes of the first half.
Butembe, which earned UGX 13 million as the tournament winner, claimed its second title, having previously won the trophy in the second edition in 2017.
Bukono, which finished as runners-up, was the second-best team in the tournament and pocketed UGX 9 million. Bugabula, in third place, earned UGX 6 million, while Buzaaya, in fourth place, took home UGX 4 million.
Looking back, Bukooli Bugiri won the first edition in 2016, defeating Bunha 3-1. Butembe claimed the second edition in 2017 after a hard-fought match against Bunha that ended 4-3 in a penalty shootout.
In 2018, Kigulu was the defending champion, followed by Bunha in 2019. Bukooli Namayingo took the title in 2022, and Busiki triumphed in 2023.
Butembe’s victory on Sunday was witnessed by the Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, who was the chief guest at Bugembe Stadium. The Kyabazinga, accompanied by the Busoga Kingdom Prime Minister, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, handed over the trophy to Butembe FC.
In a separate event, the newly formed Busoga United played a friendly match against the Uganda Cranes, which ended in a 0-0 draw. The friendly match was held in honor of the Kyabazinga’s 36th birthday, with the main celebrations taking place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at the Kyabazinga’s Igenge Palace.
