• The 9th edition of the MTN Busoga Kingdom Masaza Tournament kicks off on 15 August 2026 at Namutumba District Headquarters in Busiki Chiefdom, bringing together 14 teams from across Busoga.

• MTN Uganda has committed UGX 550 million towards this year’s tournament, reinforcing its commitment to youth development, community unity and grassroots football.

• Fans, players, merchants and customers will enjoy exciting rewards throughout the tournament, including Player of the Match cash prizes, fan engagement incentives, merchant rewards and customer giveaways.

• The tournament will once again champion the campaign theme, ” Abasadha N’empango mukukomya Ekifuna Mabuunda mu Baana Abato ” (Men are the pillars in stopping teenage early pregnancy), using football to inspire positive social change across Busoga.

14 teams battle for regional glory in the 9th MTN Busoga Kingdom Masaza Tournament, with enhanced rewards for players, fans, and merchants.

MTN Uganda, in partnership with the Busoga Kingdom, has today officially launched the 9th edition of the MTN Busoga Kingdom Masaza Tournament, reaffirming a partnership that continues to unite communities, nurture football talent and drive meaningful social impact across the region.

The tournament will officially kick off on 15 August 2026 at Namutumba District Headquarters in Busiki Chiefdom, with fourteen teams representing Busoga’s chiefdoms set to compete for regional glory in one of Uganda’s most celebrated cultural football competitions.

This year’s tournament will continue to rally communities around the theme “Abasadha N’empango mukukomya Ekifuna Mabuunda mu Baana Abato,” translated as “Men are the pillars in stopping teenage early pregnancy.” Through football, community engagement and fan activations, the tournament will encourage men to play a more active role in protecting and empowering young girls across the Busoga region.

Speaking at the launch, Ahmed Osman Noor, the Second Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom, said the tournament continues to be an important platform for fostering unity while calling on all stakeholders to uphold integrity throughout the competition.

2nd Deputy PM Ahmed Osman Noor launches 9th MTN Masaza Tournament, calls for integrity and unity on the field.

“Football brings unity, and when we are together and united, we are always very strong. As we begin this year’s tournament, I call upon our organisers and the Technical Organising Committee to uphold integrity. We want victories earned on the field of play because the Masaza Cup is about discovering talent with discipline. It is also a platform that brings our people together to spread important messages, including the fight against teenage pregnancy. We appreciate MTN Uganda for consistently standing with the Busoga Kingdom in making this tournament a success,” said Noor.

As the headline sponsor, MTN Uganda has invested UGX 550 million towards this year’s tournament, underscoring its continued commitment to developing grassroots sport while creating opportunities for communities to connect through football.

Speaking on behalf of MTN Uganda, John Paul Okwi, Manager – Sponsorships and Events, said the tournament reflects the company’s commitment to creating shared value by investing in communities and empowering young people through sport.

Busoga Kingdom’s Owek. Amin Bbosa Nkono and Ahmed Osman Noor join MTN Uganda’s John Paul Okwi to unveil this year’s kits.

“The MTN Busoga Kingdom Masaza Tournament continues to demonstrate the power of sport to unite communities, nurture talent and inspire positive social change. Through this partnership, we are not only supporting football but also creating opportunities for young people to showcase their abilities, engage their communities and pursue their aspirations. As we continue encouraging Ugandans to Free Your Fire, we believe every player, every fan and every community has the potential to unlock greatness both on and off the pitch. Together, we are Unstoppable.”

This year’s tournament will feature enhanced rewards that recognize excellence both on and off the field. At every match, each competing team will nominate one outstanding player, after which the tournament’s Technical Organizing Committee will determine the overall Player of the Match. The winning player will receive UGX 200,000, while the second nominee will be rewarded with UGX 100,000.

Fans will also have multiple opportunities to win throughout the tournament. Customers who spend UGX 5,000 or more on eligible purchases, including voice bundles, data bundles or merchant payments through designated MTN merchant codes at match venues, will stand a chance to win UGX 50,000 each matchday. Customers who purchase eligible MTN devices during the tournament will also stand a chance to receive the same cash reward.

  John Paul Okwi, MTN Uganda’s Manager Sponsors, at the 9th Masaza Tournament launch & Events, spotlights community transformation.

Digital engagement will remain at the heart of this year’s fan experience. Supporters attending matches will be encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #MTNBusogaMasaza, with the five most engaging posts within 24 hours of each match each winning UGX 100,000.

Merchants will also be rewarded for driving digital payments, with the top five merchants recording the highest transaction volumes on every matchday each receiving UGX 75,000.

In line with this year’s tournament theme, halftime activations will feature the Abasadha N’Empango Quiz, where fans will answer questions centered on the role men can play in ending teenage pregnancy. One winner from each match will receive UGX 50,000.

The competition winners will receive UGX 13 million, with the runners-up earning UGX 9 million, third place UGX 6 million, and fourth place UGX 4 million, recognizing outstanding performance throughout the tournament.

As anticipation builds towards kickoff, MTN Uganda and the Busoga Kingdom have called upon football fans across the region to rally behind their teams, celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Busoga and embrace the tournament’s message of unity, integrity and positive community transformation.