MICHAEL N
Buhanama Ward Football Club were crowned champions of the second edition of the Bukenya Cup after a thrilling 4–3 victory over Nyongozi Ward in a penalty shootout, following a 1–1 draw at full time. The final was played at Nyamukana Town Council in Ntungamo District and attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd.
The annual tournament, held every January, is organized by the NRM flag bearer for Nyamukana Town Council, Hon. David Aryatuha Bukenya. It aims to identify and nurture local talent, strengthen community unity, and provide a platform for youth engagement through sports.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Bukenya said the tournament was initiated to empower young people and promote togetherness among residents of Nyamukana Town Council. He emphasized that sports play a key role in community development, talent promotion, and uniting people around a shared vision.
Hon. Bukenya also noted that as the country heads into the political season, the tournament serves as an avenue to mobilize support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and other NRM flag bearers across the district.
He highlighted challenges facing sports development in the area, including poor playing grounds, lack of sports equipment, and limited financial and institutional support for local sportsmen and women. He further pointed out broader infrastructural challenges, especially poor road networks that affect transportation of agricultural produce, noting that Nyamukana is a major pineapple-growing area.
He called upon residents to continue supporting President Museveni and NRM leaders at all levels, saying sustained political support would help address both sports-related and wider development challenges.
The Guest of Honour, Ntungamo District Youth Chairperson Philip Tumuhimbise Ankwasa, commended the organizers for using sports as a tool to engage and mobilize the youth. He said such tournaments are vital in identifying talent and bringing communities together.
He added that the NRM youth task force uses such platforms to sensitize communities about government programs and rally support for President Museveni and the party’s candidates. He noted that grassroots mobilization through community meetings, public gatherings, and house-to-house engagements has been intensified to ensure government achievements reach the people, citing the Parish Development Model (PDM) as one of the programs improving service delivery at the community level.
Beyond football, the tournament featured a variety of activities including wrestling, athletics, tug of war, sack racing, and eating and drinking competitions. Winners and participants were awarded trophies and assorted prizes.
Despite the success of the event, participants appealed to government and local leaders to increase investment in sports infrastructure and programs to enable talented individuals to further develop their skills and access broader opportunities.
