Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup roared back to life on 28 June 2025, when the refurbished Kampala ground staged its first match in twelve years. Kyaddondo edged Bulemeezi 1–0, and the fans loved every second.
Consequently, almost 35 000 supporters streamed through the new turnstiles, filling seats that recent league fixtures had left embarrassingly bare. Moreover, the early queues on Namirembe Road showed just how much county football still matters.
The renovation, funded by businessman Hajji Hamis Kiggundu, replaced crumbling terraces with safe stands, installed a hybrid playing surface and added bright LED floodlights. Furthermore, larger dressing rooms, hydrotherapy baths and a CAF-rated medical bay pushed the venue to modern standards.
Coach Patrick Sserunjogi therefore called the surface “a dream” and predicted crisper football as the tournament progresses. Additionally, players noted that the even grass encouraged quicker passing, while the improved lighting sharpened their vision in evening games.
However, Bulemeezi started brighter, pressing high and forcing Kyaddondo keeper Robert Osama into a reflex save from Moses Nsereko. Afterward, Kyaddondo’s wingers exploited the flanks; in the 84th minute substitute Sudais Ssentamu fired the decisive goal. Consequently, the Curzon End shook under a wave of blue flags and thunderous cheers.
Meanwhile, social media lit up; #NakivuboReturn trended country-wide within minutes. In addition, veteran commentators compared the roar to Uganda’s famous 2016 win over Comoros.
Elsewhere in Group Masengere, Buluuli defeated Ssese 2–0, while Kabula and Ssingo drew nil-nil. Therefore, Kyaddondo top the pool on three points and carry significant momentum into their next fixture.
Beyond football, the event boosted downtown trade. Street vendors sold piles of gonja and samosas; moreover, nearby hostels filled with travelling fans. As a result, Uganda Tourism Board analysts expect stadium-area revenue to rise by fifteen percent this season.
Nevertheless, heavy traffic showed that transport planning must now keep pace with demand. City engineers have therefore proposed shuttle buses from the New Taxi Park for later rounds.
Critically, the return of the Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup also renews Buganda’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent. Indeed, stars such as Farouk Miya and Allan Okello first shone in this very competition. Consequently, scouts from top-flight clubs left carrying notebooks full of promising names.
Looking ahead, organisers plan to stage quarter-finals and the 2025 final at the ground, provided the pitch stays healthy. Moreover, they aim to host women’s exhibition matches and school finals, ensuring year-round community use.
Next, Kyaddondo face Kabula, while Bulemeezi meet Ssingo in a must-win clash under the bright new lights. Whatever happens, the Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup has reclaimed its spiritual home and will echo through Kampala all season.
Equally important, the reopened venue gives Kampala another compliant ground while Mandela National Stadium remains closed for renovations. Thus, national team coaches may schedule friendly matches here to test fringe players before September’s World Cup qualifiers.
Besides football, event managers are already pencilling in gospel concerts and boxing cards, thereby diversifying revenue streams for the caretakers. Moreover, local schools hope to book end-of-term athletics days, which was impossible when the grass resembled a quarry.
For the nearby Owino Market community, match days also mean extra casual work; stall keepers extend hours to catch departing crowds. Consequently, many vendors now back the project they once opposed during the demolition phase.
Yet, sustainability will require disciplined maintenance, because heavy use previously led to waterlogging and unsafe terraces. Therefore, stadium managers have signed a yearly service contract with a turf specialist to guarantee playable conditions.
Finally, the revitalised Nakivubo Stadium Masaza Cup reminds Ugandans that heritage spaces can survive when public will and private capital align. Ultimately, the roar that followed Ssentamu’s strike signalled a collective promise never to let Nakivubo decay again.
Therefore, expect even larger crowds when quarter-final tickets go on sale in August. Until then, the city will keep humming the old terrace chants, eager for the next chapter.
READ: FIRST LADY IMPRESSED BY NAKIVUBO STADIUM DEVELOPMENT WORKS BY HAM
