Kyaggwe are determined to turn years of waiting into a historic Masaza Cup triumph, while Gomba are chasing another milestone as the two sides prepare for Saturday’s 2026 final at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
The two teams meet on October 31 at 4:00 pm, with Kyaggwe seeking their maiden title and Gomba aiming to extend their record to six crowns in what will be their 11th final appearance.
For Kyaggwe, the occasion offers an opportunity to end a 22-year wait since their last final appearance in 2004. They also have a chance to make amends for their defeat in the 2024 final and finally deliver the trophy their supporters have long desired.
Assistant coach William Kyeswa says the team is determined to make the most of the opportunity, although he admits that preparations have been affected by the absence of two players.
“The only problem as a team is that two players haven’t returned to training, as you know, Super League players who are Entebbe UPPC’s Calvin Peter Emayo and UPDF’s Derrick Taremwa,” Kyeswa said.
Kyeswa revealed that the technical team was still seeking information about Taremwa’s condition after reports emerged that the player had left his previous game in an uncomfortable state.
“We received some information that Taremwa left the game not in good condition, but we shall inquire from the doctors since we need all players,” he added.
Despite the uncertainty, Kyaggwe remain focused on the ultimate prize, with Kyeswa refusing to predict a scoreline but insisting that victory is the only result that matters.
“This tournament comes once a year for six months. I can’t say the scoreline will be this since I’m a coach, not a fortune teller, but all we want is a win,” he said.
Kyaggwe know they will face a formidable opponent in Gomba, but Kyeswa believes his side can compete without being intimidated by the record champions.
“We are going to play a good team, but I won’t say we are going to respect them. We shall handle them well,” he said.
The assistant coach also acknowledged the financial challenges the team has faced in previous campaigns, stressing that players’ welfare remains essential to producing the performances needed to win the competition.
“Previously, we have had finance issues, but a lot of people have been there for us. Yet, you know, in order for these players to produce good performances, welfare is key, and I know this time what the committee has done, plus the fans, will push the team,” Kyeswa added.
Kyaggwe have shown encouraging progress in recent seasons. In 2025, they reached the semi-finals before going on to win the third-place playoff, demonstrating their ability to compete deep into the tournament.
Saturday’s final, however, presents a different challenge. They must overcome a side with a rich history in the competition if they are to finally lift the trophy.
Gomba promise happiness
While Kyaggwe are chasing history, Gomba arrive with a familiar ambition: adding another title to their impressive collection.
The Gomba Lions have won the Masaza Cup five times and are determined to make it six, with manager Resty Mbatidde expressing confidence in the team’s preparations and their ability to deliver for their supporters.
“Our team is ready to play its 11th final and win the sixth title,” Mbatidde said.
Gomba’s determination comes after a disappointing 2025 campaign in which the record champions failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Competing in the Masengere Group, they endured a difficult tournament and missed out on the knockout rounds, a setback that left the team determined to return stronger.
Mbatidde says the preparations for this year’s competition were undertaken earlier, with the club keen to avoid a repeat of the previous season’s struggles.
“We have prepared in time after the previous season had failed to move like we wanted,” he said.
The manager also promised supporters an occasion to celebrate, insisting that the team has worked towards restoring the happiness associated with its success.
“I promise you happiness. From the start of the year, I told you this year the team has returned to bring back happiness to the fans, and we have done so. Therefore, I call upon fans to come and be the witnesses,” Mbatidde said.
Gomba will look to captain and defender Herbert Onen for leadership on the pitch, while their attacking hopes will largely rest on Meddie Kasule, who leads the tournament’s scoring chart with six goals.
Golden Boot battle adds spice
Beyond the battle for the trophy, the final also brings attention to the race for the Golden Boot, with Gomba’s Meddie Kasule and Kyaggwe’s Lauben Lubwama among the leading contenders.
Kasule tops the 2026 scoring chart with six goals, while Lubwama has scored five for Kyaggwe. Butambala’s Dathan Mubiru also has five goals, as does Ssese’s Raymond Kayemba.
Busujju’s Erias Kiyemba has scored four goals, alongside Gomba’s Alfred Ssebunya and Buvuma’s Rogers Kaweesi.
Lubwama will be particularly eager to finish the tournament strongly after narrowly missing out on the Golden Boot in 2025.
Playing for Busujju last season, he scored six goals and finished just one behind Buweekula’s Jimmy Kalema, who claimed the award with seven.
Lubwama scored in the quarter-final second leg against Buweekula but could not close the gap, leaving him second in the race.
His five goals this season put him within reach of the scoring prize, although Kasule currently holds the advantage.
For Gomba, Kasule’s scoring form could prove decisive in their quest for a sixth crown. For Kyaggwe, Lubwama could provide the goals needed to end their long wait for glory.
Familiar opponents, unfinished business
The two finalists know each other well, and their recent meetings suggest that Saturday’s contest could be closely fought.
Their first meeting in the 2026 campaign ended in a 1-1 draw at Kabulasoke PTC Stadium on July 19, before they shared the spoils again in a 1-1 draw at Bishops SS Stadium on August 23.
They also drew 1-1 on September 8, 2024, underlining how evenly matched the sides have been in recent encounters.
Neither team has managed to establish clear dominance in those meetings, leaving the final as an opportunity to settle the contest when the stakes are highest.
The afternoon at Wankulukuku begins with the third-place playoff between Butambala and Bugerere at noon before the main final kicks off at 4pm.
Championship Titles by County (Ssaza)
- Gomba: 5 titles
- Mawokota: 3 titles
- Buddu: 3 titles
- Bulemeezi: 3 titles
- Ssingo: 2 titles
- Buweekula: 1 title
- Busiro: 1 title
- Buluuli: 1 title
- Kyaddondo: 1 title
- Kooki: 1 title
Past Winners
- 2004 – Gomba
- 2005 – Mawokota
- 2006 – Kooki
- 2007 – Mawokota
- 2008 – Kyaddondo
- 2009 – Gomba
- 2010 – Not held
- 2011 - Buluuli
- 2012 – Bulemeezi
- 2013 – Mawokota
- 2014 – Gomba
- 2015 – Ssingo
- 2016 – Buddu
- 2017 – Gomba
- 2018 – Ssingo
- 2019 – Bulemeezi
- 2020 – Gomba
- 2021 – Buddu
- 2022 - Busiro
- 2023 – Bulemeezi
- 2024 – Buddu
- 2025 – Buweekula