Bugoigo Leopards and Victors Women have been crowned champions of the 2026 Buliisa Total Mini League after winning the men’s and women’s football finals respectively, with district leaders urging young players to develop their talents and pursue professional careers.

The finals, held at Kisyabi Primary School playground in Buliisa District, attracted large crowds as 24 teams, including eight women’s teams, competed in the annual tournament.

In the women’s final, Victors Women FC defeated Walukuba Kisinja 1-0 to lift the trophy and claim the Shs4 million cash prize. Walukuba Kisinja finished second, earning Shs2 million and a trophy, while Inspire Women FC took third place and received Shs1 million and a trophy.

In the men’s category, Bugoigo Leopards secured the title with a convincing 3-0 victory over Kisomere Nile Hotspurs. The champions received Shs4 million and a trophy, while the runners-up walked away with Shs2 million and a trophy.

Outstanding players were also recognised with individual awards, including best goalkeeper, top scorer and most disciplined player.

Presiding over the award ceremony, Buliisa District chairperson Atuhairwe Wandera commended Total for supporting grassroots football, saying the competition had helped identify players who had progressed to higher levels of the game.

He cited Kabon Living, who now plays for Kitara FC, as an example of a player whose talent had advanced beyond the district.

Wandera challenged young footballers to work harder to attract the attention of professional clubs, noting that football had evolved from a recreational activity into a lucrative career for talented players.

He also urged parents and teachers to identify children’s sporting abilities at an early age and support their development so they could compete at national level.

However, he cautioned young players against distractions, including alcohol abuse and negative peer influence, urging them to remain focused on their ambitions and set clear goals for their football careers.

Wandera also appealed to Total and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to support the construction of a modern stadium in Buliisa, saying improved sports infrastructure would motivate young players and strengthen football development in the district.

Abib Businge, the Buliisa FUFA delegate, said the federation had made progress in financing football competitions, with leagues such as the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Big League benefiting from support from FUFA and the government.

He urged district and local leaders to prioritise sports, saying they provide employment opportunities and help keep young people engaged in productive activities.

Businge added that football promotes discipline and good character, values he said were important in shaping the future of young people.

Buliisa District inspector of schools Sophia Kabonesa welcomed the competition, saying it was her first time watching the tournament and that she was impressed by the quality of football displayed by both girls and boys.

She expressed confidence that continued investment in the league would help identify talented players capable of representing Uganda at national level.

Kabonesa said the district would write to FUFA to seek support for improved sports facilities.

Simon Peter Byoma, a Total supervisor, said the competition was established to promote sportsmanship, unity and talent development among young people in Buliisa.

He said several players discovered through the league had secured opportunities with clubs in Hoima and Masindi, enabling them to earn money from their talents.

Byoma said Total hoped to identify more promising players, connect them with bigger clubs and create opportunities for talented female footballers to progress towards the national women’s team, the Crested Cranes.

He added that the initiative also sought to promote community development and empower young people through inclusive participation in sports.

The Buliisa Total Mini League was launched on June 9, 2024, to promote sportsmanship and nurture football talent among young people in the district.