The decisive moment at Wankulukuku on Saturday, 31 October, belonged to a player who had started the final on the bench. With Kyaggwe and Gomba still level in the closing stages, George Kato beat the Gomba goalkeeper at his near post. It was the only goal of the afternoon’s final and the one that brought Kyaggwe their first Buganda Masaza Cup title.

Thousands had gathered at Muteesa II Stadium to watch two counties with very different histories in the competition. Gomba, already five-time champions, were chasing a sixth title. Kyaggwe had come close in 2024, only to lose in the final. Their meetings with Gomba this season offered little indication of which way the trophy would go. They had drawn 1–1 at Kabulasoke in July and returned the same scoreline in August.

It took until the final quarter of their third meeting for Kato to separate them. Once he found the net, coach Ronald Ssali’s side held their lead to the whistle. This time, the Kyaggwe captain made the walk to receive the trophy from His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. For supporters who had followed the county since the competition was revived in 2004, it was a presentation 22 years in the making.

“Congratulations to Kyaggwe on bringing the cup home for the first time, and to Gomba for a final that was in the balance until late in the game. We thank His Majesty the Kabaka for gracing the occasion and presenting the trophy,” said Daniel Kayongo, Head of Marketing at Kansai Plascon Uganda, speaking to the media after the match.

Plascon’s association with the Masaza Cup goes back to 2023. Alongside its sponsorship of Buddu FC, the company has backed the tournament as a whole for four seasons. This year’s edition began in June with an opening fixture between defending champions Buweekula and Kyaddondo. Across the 18 counties, players had the chance to make their names in front of the communities they represent.

“At Plascon, we support the Masaza Cup because it gives players a chance to do something their whole county will remember. Kato came off the bench today, and his goal is the one Kyaggwe supporters will talk about for years,” Kayongo said.

The champions collected gold medals and Shs25 million, with Kyaggwe’s Godfrey Arijole named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Gomba earned Shs22 million as runners-up and took home the Golden Boot through Meddie Kasule, whose six goals made him the competition’s leading scorer. Mawogola’s Herbert Masaba was named Best Goalkeeper.

The earlier match at Wankulukuku had also turned on a single late goal. Dathan Mubiru scored in the 82nd minute to give Butambala a 1–0 win over Bugerere and the bronze medals. Butambala added the Fair Play Award and the honour of Most Improved Team, while Owek. Samuel Ssemugoma of Bugerere was recognised as the Ssaza chief who attended the most matches.

By the close of the evening, honours had gone to several counties, but for the first time the cup itself was on its way to Kyaggwe.