Fort Portal, Uganda | URN | Tooro Kingdom has announced the resumption of the fifth edition of the Amasaza football and netball tournament, which was suspended following the death of Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV in August.
The tournament, which kicked off on July 12, 2026, had reached the semi-final stage when it was suspended following the Omukama’s death on August 27.
Addressing journalists at Muchwa, the kingdom headquarters, on Saturday, Henry Basaliza, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs and Inter-Kingdom Cooperation, said the kingdom had consulted the tournament’s main sponsors and obtained permission from the new king, Omukama Edward Rukidi Nyabongo I, to resume and complete the competition.
Basaliza called on the people of Tooro to support kingdom activities, saying cultural initiatives play an important role in preserving the identity of the people.
Eng. Francis Kateeba, the kingdom’s Minister of Sports and Education, said the competition would resume on October 18 with the outstanding semi-final match between Fort Portal and Burahya counties.
The final will be held on October 24 at Kitchwamba Technical Institute playground and will be officiated by Omukama Nyabongo I.
Kateeba said the kingdom also plans to expand its sporting activities beyond the Amasaza tournament by introducing competitions for clans and an Omukama Cup for primary, secondary and higher institutions of learning.
He said the initiatives are intended to promote unity among the people of Tooro, raise public awareness of the king and kingdom programmes, and provide opportunities for young people to develop their sporting abilities.
According to Kateeba, the tournaments also help identify, promote and nurture sporting talent while creating income-generating opportunities for players and business operators who sell goods during matches.
Michael Wandera, the Deputy Minister of Sports, thanked Omukama Nyabongo for allowing the kingdom to continue projects initiated during the reign of his predecessor, including the Amasaza tournament.
Wandera said the winner of the remaining football semi-final between Fort Portal and Burahya will face Mwenge South in the final.
In netball, Kitagwenda will take on Mwenge South in the final.
Wandera said the football champions will receive a cash prize of Shs15 million, while the runners-up will take home Shs9 million. The teams finishing third and fourth will receive Shs6 million and Shs4 million, respectively.
In netball, the winners will receive Shs7 million, with the runners-up taking Shs4 million. The third- and fourth-placed teams will receive Shs2.5 million and Shs1.5 million, respectively.
He urged residents to turn up in large numbers for the final to support the competition and welcome the king, who is expected to officiate the event.
The Amasaza tournament brings together teams representing the nine counties of Tooro Kingdom: Burahya, Kitagwenda, Kibale, Mwenge North, Mwenge South, Kyaka, Bunyangabu, Ntoroko and Fort Portal.
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