By Musa Kikuuno.
In a groundbreaking move for sports in Busoga, the first-ever Dwarfs Busoga Masaza Cup will take place in May 2025, alongside the traditional Busoga Masaza Cup.
This historic event, which aims to promote inclusivity for people affected by dwarfism, was revealed by Joel Kawanguzi, the Programs Officer at the Foundation of Persons Affected by Dwarfism in Uganda (FPAD), during an exclusive interview with Busoga Times.
Kawanguzi shared key details about a meeting he had with Owek. Amin Bossa Nkono, the Minister for Sports in Busoga Kingdom, on February 11, 2025.
During their discussion, Minister Nkono conveyed exciting plans for the 2025 Busoga Masaza Cup, including a major change in the schedule.
According to Kawanguzi, the Minister confirmed that this year’s Masaza Cup would start earlier than usual, in May, instead of the traditional August.
“The Minister was very enthusiastic about the initiative, especially in terms of how it ties into the broader goal of lifting disabled people’s talents through sports,” Kawanguzi explained.
“He also proposed that the Dwarfs Busoga Masaza Cup be held alongside the regular Masaza Cup. The idea is to have both tournaments share the same venues for their opening and closing games, but at different times. It’s an effort to streamline resources and reduce costs, which will be beneficial for everyone involved.”
The Dwarfs Busoga Masaza Cup will mark an important milestone, as it is the first tournament of its kind in the region, specifically designed for people affected by dwarfism.
The event will bring together athletes from across Busoga to compete, showcase their abilities, and promote unity through sports. However, as Kawanguzi emphasized, all plans are still pending the endorsement of the Kyabazinga of Busoga.
Once this endorsement is granted, Minister Nkono and his team will proceed with further preparations, including finalizing the budget and other logistical details for the tournaments.
Kawanguzi also mentioned that local leaders are already expressing their support. Namayingo District Chairman Sanya Ronald has pledged to provide sets of jerseys for the dwarfs team from Bukhooli Namayingo, as well as ensure transportation for the team on match days.
Similarly, Bugiri District’s Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Myra, has promised to assist in mobilizing support and providing jerseys for the Bukhooli Bugiri team.
Kawanguzi highlighted that the goal of this initiative is to ensure that adaptive sports are accessible to all, regardless of physical stature.
“The idea is to make sports inclusive and provide equal opportunities for everyone to participate,” he said.
Both the Dwarfs Busoga Masaza Cup and the regular Masaza Cup will fall under the Ministry of Sports in Busoga Kingdom.
Separate committees will handle each tournament, but they will work in tandem to ensure a smooth and successful event.
With the backing of local leaders and the Ministry of Sports, the Dwarfs Busoga Masaza Cup is poised to be a historic event, not only for the kingdom but also for people with dwarfism, who will now have a platform to showcase their athleticism and abilities.
