Masaza Cup 2025 begins with cultural flair and UBL boost

This year’s Masaza Cup, which kicked off with a 1-0 win for Buddu over Gomba, landed a Sh285 m boost ahead of the 21st edition's kick-off on Saturday.

The announcement was made during a media launch attended by the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, and Lillian Kansiime, Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), Buganda Kingdom sports minister Robert Sserwanga and Majestic Brands CEO Remmie Kisakye at Bulange Mengo, ahead of the kick-off.

The sponsorship marks the second consecutive year of the brand’s sponsorship of the Masaza Cup, building on Uganda Breweries’ long-standing relationship with the Buganda Kingdom.

Mayiga highlighted the historical and cultural significance of the Masaza Cup, which has grown into one of the country’s most influential platforms for community mobilisation and youth empowerment.

“Sports are not simply for the enjoyment one receives on the pitch, but the benefits are immense. It offers employment, builds the body and soul of the participants, bridges the gap and strengthens unity, but also raises a lot of funds for individual personalities and for the government through tax revenue. These are the benefits that Masaza Cup brings,” he said.

Kansiime emphasised that the sponsorship is rooted in shared values between Pilsner King and the Buganda Kingdom. “Our continuous support towards the Masaza Cup not only resonates with our commitment towards giving back to the communities in which we operate, but the tournament also aligns with the brand’s mission to inspire Ugandans to make bold moves and fuel community connection,” she said.

The chairman of the Masaza Cup, Suleiman Ssejjengo, said, “The Masaza Cup is more than just a football tournament. It is a unifying cultural platform and a launchpad for young talent across the kingdom. He noted that last year alone, over 380,000 fans filled the stadiums, and the tournament reached over nine million people nationwide. That is a clear demonstration of its power to bring people together.”

“With 104 matches scheduled across 16 match days this season, we expect even more excitement, and I call on the youth to seize this opportunity not only to showcase their talent, but to grow into future stars of Ugandan football,” he said.
The Masaza Cup continues to be a cornerstone of Uganda’s sporting calendar, attracting thousands of fans and emerging footballers each season. The tournament promotes talent development across the 18 Buganda Kingdom counties while preserving cultural identity and strengthening community ties.