Airtel Uganda, in partnership with the Buganda Kingdom, today officially launched the 21st edition of the highly anticipated Airtel Masaza Cup football tournament. The launch event, held in Kampala at Bulange, celebrated the tournament’s legacy of uniting communities and developing youth talent.
The Airtel Masaza Cup is a premier grassroots tournament that brings together the 18 counties (Masaza) of the Buganda Kingdom in a display of culture, unity, and sporting talent. Over the past two decades, the tournament has served as a significant pipeline for discovering professional football players and has become a basis of social and cultural celebration in the region.
Speaking at the launch, Som Soumendra, the Managing Director of Airtel Uganda, expressed his enthusiasm for the continued partnership and the tournament’s impact.
“Our long-standing partnership with the Buganda Kingdom is a source of immense pride for us at Airtel. The Airtel Masaza Cup represents the vibrant heartbeat of the Kingdom. It is a powerful platform that discovers and equips raw, youthful talent from the grassroots, giving them a stage on which to shine. It is, in its purest form, A Reason to imagine a brighter future for these young athletes and Buganda.” Soumendra stated.
In addition to their sponsorship, Airtel launched the Masaza Bundles to enhance the experience of fans during the tournament. The new Masaza bundles are designed to offer comprehensive connectivity. They include data, SMS, on-net minutes for Airtel-to-Airtel calls, and all-net minutes that can be used to call any network in Uganda. All bundles are valid for 30 days from the time of purchase and they will be active starting on the 21st June 2025. Customers can activate them through multiple channels: by dialling *100*06#, selecting ‘Combos’ on the *100# menu, or via the My Airtel App. The bundles can also be repurchased at any time or shared with others through Tugabane.
Soumendra explained, “These all-in-one bundles offer greater value and convenience, packed with generous allocations of data, SMS, and voice minutes to call all networks, ensuring fans can share every moment of the tournament with friends and family for a full 30 days. Whether you’re a fan sharing those magical moments, a vendor coordinating your business from the sidelines, or an entrepreneur running your stall and needing seamless communication to serve customers, this bundle ensures you stay connected to what matters most.”
The Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga thanked Airtel Uganda for its unwavering support and emphasised the tournament’s cultural importance.
“The Buganda Kingdom is grateful for the steadfast support from our partner, Airtel Uganda, which has been crucial to the growth of the Masaza Cup. This tournament is a vital instrument for unity, bringing together the 18 counties of Buganda to celebrate our shared heritage and, most importantly, to empower our youth with valuable opportunities. It shows what we can achieve when we work together. We urge all subjects of the Kingdom to come out, support their counties peacefully, and celebrate the rich culture that binds us together.” The launch sets the stage for months of exciting football action as the 18 counties compete for the coveted Masaza Cup trophy. The first match is set to happen in Masaka between Buddu and Gomba – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8LPleFqdJg&t=318s
