The MTN Busoga Masaza Cup Disciplinary Panel has handed down a series of sanctions against several teams and officials, with Bukono and Kigulu losing matches by forfeiture while Bugabula have suffered a two-point deduction over repeated incidents of hooliganism.
In rulings issued following its meeting on October 15, 2026, the panel also suspended Bukooli Bugiri coach Kagere Sadat for two matches, banned Kigulu Chief Executive Officer Mukisa Nasser from the remainder of the competition and suspended referee Lubega Ayub pending further investigations into his officiating.
The decisions come amid growing concerns over player eligibility, match abandonment, violence against match officials and failure by teams to honour scheduled fixtures during the ninth edition of the competition.
Bukooli Bugiri forfeit Busiki match
Bukooli Bugiri have been deemed to have lost their October 4 match against Busiki by forfeiture after their players refused to continue playing at Kisiki College.
The match was abandoned in the 39th minute after Bukooli Bugiri players sat down following an equaliser, with one player alleging that he had been struck by a stone thrown by Busiki supporters.
However, the match commissioner and security personnel assessed the situation and determined that play could resume. Despite instructions from the match commissioner and referee, Bukooli Bugiri coach Kagere Sadat directed captain Balyeku Daniel not to continue.
The panel ruled that the decision violated the competition regulations and awarded Busiki three points and three goals.
Kagere, who appeared before the panel and expressed remorse, was handed a reduced two-match suspension with immediate effect.
Busiki were also warned against violence and unsporting behaviour following reports of an assault several kilometres from the match venue.
Kigulu, Bukono lose matches
Kigulu forfeited their September 30 match against Butembe after the panel established that two players, Kisambira Abbas Ali and Mukisa James, were registered with Iganga United FC, a club competing in the FUFA Big League.
The panel found that their participation breached regulations prohibiting players from the first and second division leagues from featuring in the Masaza Cup.
Butembe, who had petitioned against Kigulu, were consequently awarded three points and three goals.
In another ruling, Bukono forfeited their September 26 fixture against Budiope after failing to turn up for the scheduled match at Baligeya Memorial Secondary School.
The panel said Bukono had also failed to submit a written explanation within the required 48 hours. Budiope were awarded three points and three goals.
Bukono suffered another forfeiture following the abandonment of their October 3 match against Bugabula.
According to the referee’s report, Bukono supporters assaulted second assistant referee Pana Christopher with an object believed to be a stone and attacked Bugabula’s technical bench. The supporters also reportedly introduced an irritant local herb, forcing members of the visiting team’s bench to flee onto the pitch for safety.
The panel held Bukono responsible for failing to control its supporters and awarded Bugabula three points and three goals.
Bugabula lose points over repeated violence
Bugabula were docked two points and two goals from their accumulated tally after the panel found the team responsible for repeated incidents of hooliganism.
The sanctions followed incidents during matches against Budiope on September 5 and Bunha on September 27.
During the match against Budiope, centre referee Locholo Paul was assaulted by an unidentified individual, while Budiope player Makooma Muhammad was slapped by a supporter.
The panel said Bugabula had failed to identify and present those responsible despite earlier sanctions and directives from the tournament organisers.
During the subsequent match against Bunha at Kamuli Municipal Stadium, supporters reportedly attacked visiting officials and players, snatched footballs and threw stones, prompting security personnel to intervene.
The panel deducted one point and one goal for failure to present those responsible for assaulting the referee, and another point and goal for the repeated hooliganism against Bunha.
Bugabula were sternly warned that further misconduct would attract more severe sanctions.
Referee suspended as investigations begin
The panel also suspended referee Lubega Ayub from officiating in the competition pending investigations into alleged irregularities during the October 4 match between Bunha and Budiope.
Budiope had challenged the referee’s appointment and alleged that he wrongly disallowed two goals, awarded Bunha an unjustified penalty and made a questionable stoppage-time decision that led to Bunha’s winning goal.
The panel upheld the appointment, saying the referees’ appointment panel had the authority to designate match officials.
It also said insufficient video footage prevented it from conclusively determining the allegations against the referee. However, concerns raised in the match commissioner’s report warranted further investigation by the Referees’ Disciplinary Panel.
The result was allowed to stand, with Bunha retaining their 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile, Kigulu chief executive officer Mukisa Nasser was banned from all MTN Busoga Masaza Cup football activities for the remainder of the tournament after being found responsible for inciting violence against centre referee Kyepa Nathan following Kigulu’s match against Butembe on August 26.
The panel said his conduct contravened the competition’s code of ethics and disciplinary code.
The latest decisions underscore the disciplinary panel’s push to enforce competition regulations, protect match officials and players, and curb violence that threatens the integrity of the Busoga Masaza Cup.
