A new chapter in Buganda’s most prestigious football competition, the Masaza Cup, is set to kick off at a new, vibrant venue.
The Masaza Cup Organizing Committee has officially announced that Kitovu Sports Arena will host the opening match of the 2025 Buganda Masaza Cup on 21st June 2025, marking the first time this venue takes center stage in launching the annual tournament.
The honour of opening the tournament falls to reigning champions Buddu, who will face an as yet undetermined opponent, pending the official group stage draw.
Last year, Buddu etched their name into Masaza Cup history with a narrow 1-0 victory over Kyaggwe in the final, which was played at a fully packed Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Kitovu Sports Arena, nestled in the heart of Masaka was given the green light after an inspection by Festus Kirumira, Vice Chairman of the Masaza Cup Organizing Committee, alongside Sarah Kagolo, Vice Chairperson of the Buddu Management Committee.
The duo expressed confidence in the facility’s readiness to host the spectacle, praising its atmosphere and recent upgrades that make it fitting for such a high-profile curtain raiser.
“We are confident that Kitovu Sports Arena will deliver a memorable opening match experience for players and fans alike,” said Kirumira during the inspection.
“Buddu has earned the right to host, and Kitovu offers the perfect backdrop for what promises to be an electrifying start to the competition.”
Buddu, now three-time Masaza Cup champions (2016, 2021, 2024), will enter this campaign under new leadership.
Eric Kisuze, fresh off a remarkable run guiding Uganda Martyrs University to their third Pepsi University Football League title, takes the reins from Simon Ddungu, popularly known as Dunga.
Ddungu, who masterminded Buddu’s 2024 title win, will this season manage Gomba, the most decorated side in Masaza Cup history.
For Buddu fans, the opener at Kitovu is more than just a match, it’s a celebration of legacy and the dawn of a new era under Kisuze.
The Masaka-based arena is expected to be awash with colours, chants and a festival-like atmosphere as local pride and football passion collide.
