2025 Final: Kigulu vs Luuka
Third play off: Bugabula vs Bukooli Namayingo
The 8th edition of the Busoga Masaza Cup has its finalists — Kigulu and Luuka — after a dramatic semifinal weekend at the Kyabazinga Stadium, Bugembe.
On Saturday, Luuka made history by reaching their first-ever final since the tournament’s inception in 2016, following an emphatic 3-1 victory over Bugabula. The result capped off a fairy-tale run for the underdogs, who had never gone beyond group stages before this year.
In the day’s earlier fixture, two-time champions Kigulu confirmed their dominance in the competition with a 2-0 win over 2022 champions Bukooli Namayingo. This will be Kigulu’s fourth appearance in a Busoga Masaza Cup final after featuring in 2018, 2019, and 2022. They lifted the title back-to-back in 2018 and 2019, becoming the only side in history to achieve that feat, before losing narrowly to Bukooli Namayingo in the 2022 final (1–0).
The upcoming final — whose date is yet to be confirmed — will be hosted at the Kyabazinga Stadium in Jinja City, where Kigulu will be seeking a third crown, while Luuka chase a maiden championship in what promises to be a classic battle between experience and ambition.
Recent editions of the tournament have consistently produced surprises, with underdog stories lighting up the competition. Bukooli Namayingo shocked the region in 2022, Busiki followed suit by winning in 2023, and Bukono reached last year’s final before falling to Butembe. This year, Luuka have carried the same spirit, defying odds to reach the final for the first time ever.
Meanwhile, the third-place playoff will see Bukooli Namayingo face Bugabula, as both sides battle for pride and prize money. The winner of the playoff will walk away with UGX 6 million, while the fourth-placed team earns UGX 4 million. The runners-up will take home UGX 8 million, and the champions will pocket a grand prize of UGX 13 million.
