KAMPALA: It has finally arrived! Buddu won the Airtel Masaza Cup on Saturday, defeating Buweekula 2-0 at Kitende’s St. Mary’s Stadium. His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II was there to see the final.
Buddu, the last county to be annexed from Bunyoro before the arrival of the imperialists, was not only the kingdom’s centre of Catholicism, but also a vital business hub.
Such a triumph means a lot to the economic sector in the capital, Kampala, and the aristocracy.
Buganda kingdom premier Charles Peter Mayiga, like the thousands of vocal fans, was the first to hit social media on Saturday morning to paint Kitende blue.
It was a case of twos. This was Buddu’s second title, while Buweekula lost their second final, paying dearly for their missed chances, especially in the first half, in a final settled by strikes from Marvin Kavuma and Bruno Bunyaga.
Buddu, the 2016 champions, had lost thrice in the final and were intent from the first whistle with Sharif Ssengendo and Geoffrey Gaganga seeking an early goal, but it was Bulemeezi who created better chances.
Kavuma clinically beat Buweekula goalkeeper Isaac Kwizera to head home the opener on 60 minutes. Bunyaga scored his sixth goal of the season just 13 minutes after that, but Isaac Musiima of Buweekula was named the best player in the league.
Buddu head coach Steven Bogere, who was in charge of the team’s first title in 2016, was excited with the victory that climaxed with a royal handshake and a Shs12m cash prize.
Bogere, who had left the UPDF a few weeks before taking the coaching job at Buddu, gave the team and new county chief Jude Muleke hope and faith.
Right from the start of this assignment, I wanted to do my best, and I’m happy that my efforts have paid off, “Bogere said.
Buweekula head coach Frank Mulindwa, in his first full role at the tournament, used upstarts and he was gracious in defeat.
“I stand here very proud of my players. They put up a good fight and we’re unfortunate to have lost the final, “Mulindwa said.