SINAN RAJUB SENOGA
With the country currently under a lockdown, the 2020 Masaza Cup tournament remains hanging in balance but that has not deterred the respective teams from preparations for the Airtel sponsored tournament.
As of Sunday May 17th, all the 18 teams have confirmed their head coaches for the tournament whose kick off date remains a mystery.
Swift Sports gives a dissection into the appointed head coaches who have been designated for this year’s edition.
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Bulemeezi
The defending champions managed to retain their 2019 winning tactician Simon Peter Mugerwa. He will have Yusuf Kinene as his immediate deputy.
Mugerwa, a CAF License B coach, also serves as an assistant coach at Uganda Premier League side Bright Stars.
He will be aiming for his third straight cup final as a coach having lost the 2018 edition to Ssingo while at Buddu.
Buddu
Buddu re-appointed Steven Bogere as their head coach following a disappointing campaign last year.
Bogere is also the head coach of Fufa Big League side UPDF FC but was in charge of Bugerere last year.
He won their only championship in 2016 and will be assisted by Ronald Lukungu.
Gomba
Pre-tournament favourites and record champions Gomba named SC Villa’s Ibrahim Kirya as their head coach in pursuit for their fifth Masaza Cup title.
Kirya will be deputized by Denis Kizito ” Deman Denol” while Mubarak Kiberu will serve as the goalkeeping coach.
Felix Kawooya Ssekabuza is the head of the team’s technical department.
Busiro
Bright Stars’ Paul Kiwanuka will once again be the head coach for Busiro who are still in search for their first ever Masaza Cup triumph.
Kiwanuka previously served in the same role in 2018 but was in charge of Kyadondo last year.
He replaced Deo Sserwadda who was in the dugout as Busiro lost last year’s final to the eventual winners Bulemeezi at Namboole.
Kyaggwe
Former SC Villa forward Hussein Mbalangu was appointed the head coach for the Kyaggwe Warriors who are questing for their maiden title.
Mbalangu is a CAF A Licensed coach who has previously coached in Somalia at Banadir FC and Mogadishu City.
He will be deputized by former KCCA captain Ssaka Mpiima.
Ssingo
Ssingo named Edward Golola as their head coach for this year’s edition.
The former Vipers tactician will be assisted by Ronald Ssali while former Express shot stopper Ali Kiggundu will be their goalkeeping coach.
While coaching Mawokota, Golola won the 2013 edition after edging Ssingo 1-0 in the final at Nakivubo thanks to a Miya Farouk late free kick.
Buluuli
Buluuli will be under the stewardship of Noah Mugerwa who was in charge of Busiro in the early stages of the previous campaign.
Mugerwa was unceremoniously replaced by Deo Sserwadda a perfect start with Busiro.
He has previously coached at Ssingo as an assistant yo Shafiq Bisaso in 2015, Buddu and Busujju.
Busujju
Busujju named youthful tactician Frank Mulindwa as their head coach for the new season.
Mulindwa is the head coach for Royal Giant School Mityana as well as Bright Stars junior team.
The 29 year old CAF License C tactician will be assisted by Richard Kato as his deputy.
Kabula
Paddy Tan Kakande will take charge of Kabula who will be aiming for a rare quarter final qualification.
Kakande, previously at FUFA Big League side Dove FC Masindi and now at Buwambo United in the Buganda Regional League, is a CAF License C holder.
Vipers head coach Fred Kajoba will be the team’s technical director.
Butambala
Butambala retained Emuron Recoba as their head coach for yet another season.
Emuron will be once again deputized by Moses Kayemba while former Entebbe FC and Masavu custodian Hussein Mulawa will serve as the goalkeeping coach.
Emuron has had coaching spells at Bulo Red Stars and Bulo Parents School as well.
Buwekula
CAF License C holder Robert Kafeero ” Capelo” is the new head coach for Buwekula who controversially missed out on Simon Ddungu.
Kafeero is the head coach for Buganda Regional League side Kajjansi United who knocked out Vipers from this season’s Stanbic Uganda Cup.
He has previously served at the now defunct Lweza FC, Kisubi United, Entebbe FC among others.
Kkooki
Kkooki appointed Sadick Sempigi as their head coach and tasked him with winning their second Masaza Cup title.
Sempigi is the former Onduparaka assistant coach who is currently at Mbarara City serving the same role.
2004 winning captain Godfrey Wasswa will be Sempigi’s assistant with Asuman Bahati Luzige named as the goalkeeping coach.
Bugerere
Bugerere were the last team to confirm a head coach – Henry Kabugo a CAF License C holder.
Kabugo is also the head coach for Kampala Regional League side Bweyogerere Football Club.
He will be deputized by Andy Ssali as his immediate assistant.
Mawogola
Simon Ddungu “Dunga” was unveiled as Mawogola head coach shortly after snubbing Buwekula.
He is a 2017 Masaza Cup winner with Gomba but has also previously served at Mawokota, Ssingo and Buddu.
Jamada Magaasi and Wilson Kacucu will be his first and second assistants respectively.
Ssese
Islanders Ssese will be under the tutelage of Hamid Kibirango as their head coach for the new season.
Kibirango replaced Fred Kasekende who guided Ssese to last year’s quarter finals before losing to Busiro.
He will be deputized by Ali Gwayita Muwanga while Peter Lubega will serve as the goalkeepers trainer.
Buvuma
Buvuma entrusted their former player Afan Ikoba as their new head coach for the 2020 edition.
Ikoba is a head coach for Bugiri De School Football Club which competes in the Eastern Regional League.
His enormous task is guiding the Islanders to their first ever knockout stage qualification.
Mawokota
Three time champions Mawokota appointed for Uganda Cranes, KCCA and Express roving right back Richard Malinga as their head coach.
Malinga will work alongside Fahad Yahya Walugembe ” Brazilian” as and Ben Mugisha.
The former KCCA captain is a CAF License C holder.
Kyadondo
2008 winners Kyadondo appointed George William Lutalo Bbosa as their coach for the 2020 campaign.
Lutalo is an assistant coach at Uganda Premier League side URA FC but has previously coached at Soana (Tooro United) and JMC Hippos.
He filled the void left by Paul Kiwanuka who guided Kyadondo to a third place finish last year.
After successfully appointing respective head coaches, the search and recruitment of new players is on as well.
However, one the current health situation in the country stabilizes, the Masaza Cup committee will confirm new dates for the tournament.
Previous winners
- 2019 – Bulemeezi
- 2018 – Singo
- 2017 – Gomba
- 2016 – Buddu
- 2015 – Singo
- 2014 – Gomba
- 2013 – Mawokota
- 2012 – Bulemeezi
- 2011 – Buluri
- 2010 – Not Held
- 2009 – Gomba
- 2008 – Kyadondo
- 2007 – Mawokota
- 2006 – Kooki
- 2005 – Mawokota
- 2004 – Gomba