Burahya Isaza made history on Saturday evening by clinching their first-ever Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup in a thrilling final at Buhinga Stadium. The 2024 edition saw Burahya edge Fort Portal City 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout, following a tense 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.
The match kicked off in front of a packed crowd, including His Majesty Dr. Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, the Omukama of Tooro Kingdom, who was the guest of honor. Burahya struck early, with Adrien Kambale finding the back of the net in the 10th minute, sending their fans into celebration.
Fort Portal City, however, responded with resilience. Their breakthrough came in the 47th minute when Kato George’s equalizer swung the momentum in their favor, setting up a nervy second half for both teams. Neither side could find a winner before the final whistle, leading to the decisive penalty shootout.
Burahya held their nerve as Fort Portal City faltered, with two missed penalties sealing their fate. The 4-3 victory in the shootout earned Burahya not just the trophy but also Shs 7.5 million in prize money, medals, and the admiration of their supporters. Fort Portal City, despite the heartbreak, received Shs 5 million as runners-up.
Burahya’s chairman, Alex Kwizira, expressed his gratitude to both MTN Uganda and the Tooro Kingdom for their continued support of the tournament. "The Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup brings communities together, celebrates culture, and empowers the youth through sports," Kwizira said, emphasizing the tournament’s role in addressing social issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness.
This year's tournament was held under the theme "Fight Against HIV/AIDS in the Kingdom," aiming to leverage the power of sports to raise awareness on critical societal challenges. Michael Wandera, Tooro Kingdom's Minister of Sports, noted that MTN Uganda’s partnership underscores the importance of educating young people about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
The day also featured bicycle racing competitions, with winners from two categories each receiving Shs 1 million in prize money, further adding to the celebratory atmosphere at Buhinga Stadium.
With Burahya now joining past champions Mwenge South and Kyaka Amasaza, this year’s Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup has cemented itself as a key event in the kingdom, uniting communities through sport while championing important social causes.
In a day of high drama and even higher stakes, it was Burahya who walked away with the ultimate prize, making their mark in the tournament’s history.
