Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup burst back onto Kampala’s sporting calendar on 28 June 2025, and Kyaddondo edged Bulemeezi 1-0. The long-awaited match thrilled a near-capacity crowd and reopened the city’s oldest football ground in dramatic fashion.
Twelve full years had slipped by since county football last graced this historic bowl. Therefore, Saturday’s contest felt less like a routine group game and more like an emotional reunion. Fans arrived early, waving county flags and beating drums that echoed down Nakivubo Road.
Meanwhile, businessman Hajji Hamis Kiggundu had transformed the 1926 venue into a modern arena. Workers stripped the ageing structure to its steel frame, installed hybrid turf, and expanded seating to about 35 000. Moreover, fresh floodlights, twin video boards, and contact-free kiosks now deliver a world-class experience.
The new setting inspired both teams. However, three-time champions Bulemeezi failed to convert early pressure. Kyaddondo goalkeeper Joseph Ssekandi blocked two fierce shots, and confidence rose steadily. Eventually, substitute Sudais Ssentamu pounced on a loose ball in the 85th minute, sliding it past a stranded keeper. Thus, victory belonged to Kyaddondo.
Crowd numbers told their own story. Previously, Express FC and URA FC struggled to fill the stands. This time, ticket booths sold out two days early, and e-ticket scanners clicked nonstop from midday. Consequently, the Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup proved that domestic football can still pack a downtown arena.
Street business soared as well. Rolex vendors tripled sales, and soda hawkers emptied coolers before halftime. Nearby hostels reported full occupancy, while boda-boda rides surged throughout the day. Preliminary tallies suggest the Buganda Kingdom earned more than UGX 250 million from tickets and merchandise. Therefore, the cup’s economic impact stretched far beyond the pitch.
Culturally, the tournament’s return mattered even more. Organisers had long dreamed of restoring county football to the city centre, where transport is simple and youthful supporters abound. Thanks to an adjacent lite-rail stop, many fans arrived in under fifteen minutes. Additionally, tournament chairperson Ssalongo Mutenza praised the venue as “a people’s stadium for a people’s game.”
Afterwards, coaches offered contrasting views. Kyaddondo tactician Hussein Lwanga applauded disciplined pressing and swift transitions. Conversely, Bulemeezi’s Abdallah Mayanja rued missed chances and a denied penalty claim, noting that “small margins decide nights like this.”
Elsewhere in Masengere Group action, Buluuli beat Ssese 2-0 through an Isaac Kato brace, while Kabula and Ssingo shared a cautious stalemate. Consequently, Kyaddondo lead the group on goal difference, with five fixtures remaining before August’s quarter-final draw. Pundits expect rising crowds for every upcoming match.
Looking ahead, stadium officials intend to bid for the 2026 CECAFA Club Championship and a Uganda Cranes friendly against Tanzania. Success would place Nakivubo alongside Namboole and St Mary’s Kitende as an international-grade arena. Hence, Kampala could soon host high-profile fixtures without sending fans to suburban venues.
Designers balanced nostalgia with innovation during the rebuild. Original red-brick arches still frame the main entrance; antique turnstiles now stand beside NFC scanners; and the famous Katwe End terrace lives on under new aluminium seating. Consequently, the ground honours its past while meeting modern safety standards.
After the whistle, supporters lingered beneath bright floodlights. Children practised back-heels on the paved forecourt, whereas elders debated refereeing calls over roasted maize. Those images illustrated exactly what the Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup has restored: a shared heartbeat, renewed commerce, and visible civic pride.
Finally, bold banners reading “Welcome Back, Nakivubo” rippled above the exits. The words felt less like marketing and more like confirmation. Because passion, infrastructure, and heritage now align, the Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup seems poised to inspire record crowds for many seasons ahead.
READ: Nakivubo Stadium’s Grand Reopening: Celebrating Ugandan Innovation and Sports
