Budiope moved to the top of the Bukowe Hill Group after edging Bunha 1-0 on Saturday, while Sunday brought another unpredictable round of action in the MTN Busoga Masaza Cup as Bugweri and Bukooli Namayingo played out a goalless draw and Bukooli Bugiri claimed their first victory of the competition with a 2-1 win over Busiki.
The weekend’s results left Budiope with four points from two matches, while the Nendha Hill Group remains tightly contested with Bukooli Namayingo and Bugweri level on four points.
Budiope 1-0 Bunha
Despite the dusty roads leading deep into Busoga, football fans turned out in large numbers at Baligeya Memorial Seed School Playground on Bukungu Road in Kamuli to watch Budiope claim a narrow victory over Bunha.
The humid conditions made for a demanding afternoon, with the extreme heat forcing a water break after 25 minutes.
Budiope dominated the opening half and could have gone ahead through Malik Walugendo, who missed two good chances after industrious work from right winger Joel Waisswa.
The first half was largely a midfield battle, with both defences maintaining their shape and keeping the contest goalless.
Budiope came close again after the hour mark when midfielder Edrisa Malingha unleashed a powerful free-kick that struck the upright, leaving Bunha goalkeeper Samuel Ouma helpless. Malingha continued to press two minutes later but sent another effort over the bar.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute.
Malingha threaded a through ball into the path of Waisswa, who danced past Bunha’s tiring right-back before unleashing a powerful shot. Ouma pulled the save to his right, but could only parry the ball into the path of unmarked substitute Aaron Bilikadde, who fired home the rebound.
Bunha struggled to respond as the match wore on, with Budiope holding on to secure their first three points and move top of the Bukowe Hill Group.
Bunha coach Ronald Lukungu admitted his side had not produced their best performance but was pleased to leave with a result that kept their campaign alive.
“Much as we did not play well, I’m grateful that we got three points today thanks to our home fans who turned up to inspire us for today’s win. But the battle still continues for us to realise our dreams to making it out of the group to the quarter finals. Much as the team entered the camp very late, we have managed to keep the team together and work as one family.”
Bunha assistant coach Pius Masati felt a lapse in midfield concentration had proved costly.
“We played well but lost concentration from midfield and that is where we were punished as we struggled to defend our lines when our goalkeeper saved a shot. All in all, we will regroup and return to winning ways in the next match.”
Budiope’s victory moved them onto four points from two matches, with Bunha dropping to second on three points. The 2024 finalists Bukono sit third on one point, while six-time record semi-finalists Bugabula are bottom without a point.
Bugweri 0-0 Bukooli Namayingo
Sunday’s encounter at Busesa Mixed Primary School produced an entertaining goalless draw as Bugweri and Bukooli Namayingo shared the points after a closely contested match.
Both teams started brightly and enjoyed 50-50 possession, with the first clear chance arriving in the 25th minute.
Bugweri’s Katuntu Arafat delivered a cross from the left wing to an unmarked Babalanda Tom, but his close-range header went wide.
Ten minutes later, Bukooli Namayingo came close when Nalugoda Yona was released inside the box. His low effort was blocked by Magaali Jackson before Panyako followed up on the rebound, only for Magaali to react quickly and punch the ball away for a corner.
Bugweri were then fortunate not to concede before half-time. In the 43rd minute, captain Ssekibobo Juma and Kisubi Sulaiman collided while attempting to clear the ball, handing Ojiambo Eric an opportunity with the goalkeeper off his line. Ojiambo, however, fired wide.
Both teams made changes at the beginning of the second half. Bugweri introduced Captain Kagere Ismail for Otim Calvin and Bakole Isaac for Tamale Franklin, while Bukooli Namayingo brought on Sanya Vincent for Barasa Billy.
Sanya immediately added energy to the visitors’ midfield as Namayingo began to press more aggressively.
In the 59th minute, Ondusu produced a brilliant through ball to split the Bugweri defence and find captain Nalugoda, who tapped the ball into the net. The effort was ruled out for offside.
Bugweri survived another scare 15 minutes later when Namayingo’s Kiiza Michael lost possession while attempting to play out from defence. Kiyemba Ali capitalised but shot wide.
Namayingo continued to threaten on the counter. Sanya Edrine raced onto a through ball and struck hard on the run, but the effort carried too much power and went wide.
Then, in the 81st minute, Nalugoda Yona produced a fine piece of footwork to beat the Bugweri defence and force another save from Magaali Jackson.
Neither side could find the breakthrough, however, and the points were shared.
Bugweri coach Matende Umaru admitted that his half-time changes nearly worked against his side.
“There are some changes I made thinking they would help my team but that’s a lesson and I won’t repeat such a mistake.”
Matende also said starting his captain on the bench after he arrived late had cost the team, although he maintained that no player is bigger than the team.
Bukooli Namayingo coach Were Yasin felt his side had simply been unlucky.
“Our team is good enough but it was not our day. My striker Nalugoda did exactly what I told him. I asked him to shoot at every opportunity he gets but the Bugweri goalkeeper put up a good display.”
Yasin also praised Waibi Emmanuel, who was named the MTN Man of the Match, saying he needed to produce a top-level performance to contain Bugweri’s experienced midfield.
The draw left Bukooli Namayingo top of the Nendha Hill Group on four points, level with Bugweri but ahead on goal difference.
Bukooli Bugiri 2-1 Busiki
Bukooli Bugiri ended a three-year wait for victory with a hard-fought 2-1 win over 2023 champions Busiki at Bukooli College.
The hosts made the perfect start when Daniel Maganda opened the scoring in the 15th minute.
Busiki responded before the interval, with Sulaiman Kitende pulling the visitors level two minutes before half-time.
Bukooli Bugiri restored their advantage almost immediately after the restart when Martin Okoth scored in the 46th minute to make it 2-1.
The hosts then adopted a more defensive approach in the second half, successfully protecting their narrow advantage to secure their first victory of the season.
The result was particularly significant for Bukooli Bugiri, who had lost ground to Bukooli Namayingo in their local derby on the opening day. They now move into third place in the Nendha Hill Group on three points, one behind joint leaders Bukooli Namayingo and Bugweri.
Busiki remain bottom and winless.
What’s next?
The MTN Busoga Masaza Cup returns on Wednesday, 2 September, when Butembe take on Bunhole-Bunanumba at Kakindu, while Bugabula host Budiope at Kamuli Municipal Stadium.
With Budiope now leading the Bukowe Hill Group and the Nendha Hill Group separated only by goal difference at the top, the competition continues to produce tight contests and unpredictable results.
