When the 2018 Buganda Masaza football tournament gets underway in April, there will be a completely fresh overhaul in the groups.
Unlike the norm when the grouping of the 18 teams was based on the geographical location of the counties, now it is a complete new mix.
This was confirmed on Wednesday, 28th February 2018 during a brain storming meeting with the counties key stake holders, heads and team mangers.
The meeting that deliberated upon the new arrangement was held at the headquarters of Buganda Kingdom found in Bulange, Mengo – Kampala.
Chairperson of the tournament organizing committee, Sulaiman Ssejjengo clarified of the entire new arrangement;
We decided to have a new outlook of groups because there was a request to have all the teams move across the Buganda Kingdom.
It was a decision purely undertaken on sporting merit and fair play spirit.
In the new groups, record winners (four titles to their name) Gomba are in group A alongside Kabula, Buweekula and Kyadondo.
Group B constitutes of Ssingo, Kyaggwe, Butambula, Mawogola and Bugerere.
Buddu, Ssese, Kooki and Bulemeezi are in group C whilst Busiro, Mawokota, Busujju, Buvuma and Buluuri complete group D.
U-17 National team players to play:
Unlike in the previous editions when players summoned to the national U-17 team could not play, the rules were relaxed to accomodate such players.
But the players who have been summoned to the U-20, U-23, national team and those with licenes in the FUFA Big league and top flight division (Uganda Premier League) shall not be allowed to play.
Over the years, the Masaza tournament has proven as the biggest crowd pulling championship in Uganda and a fertile platform to expose talents.
Uganda Cranes stars as Emmanuel Okwi, Godfrey ‘Jajja Walu’ Walusimbi, Yunus Sentamu, Kezironi Kizito, Ivan Bukenya, Sula ‘Malouda’ Matovu, Faruku Miya, Brian Umony, Robert Odongkara, Yasser Mugerwa, among others are testament in this noble cause.
Group A:
- Gomba
- Kabula
- Buweekula
- Kyadondo
Group B:
- Ssingo
- Kyaggwe
- Butambala
- Mawogola
- Bugerere
Group C:
- Buddu
- Ssesse
- Kooki
- Bulemeezi
Group D:
- Busiro
- Mawokota
- Busujju
- Buvuma
- Buluuri
Masaza Cup Cast of All Winners:
- 2017 – Gomba
- 2016 – Buddu
- 2015 – Singo
- 2014 – Gomba
- 2013 – Mawokota
- 2012– Bulemeezi
- 2011– Buluri
- 2010– Not Held
- 2009– Gomba
- 2008– Kyadondo
- 2007– Mawokota
- 2006– Kooki
- 2005- Mawokota
- 2004- Gomba