The Rotary Club of Kiwatule has officially launched the 10th edition of the Rotary 5- Aside on Thursday, 13th August 2026 at quality sports Complex, Kampala next to the Bahai Temple.
The Tournament itself will take place on 19th September at Kampala Quality sports Complex under the theme “Play with a purpose. Create impact”.
From a modest football tournament with about 30 teams in 2015 to a national Rotary platform that has mobilized more than UGX 170 million for community service, the Rotary 5- A side Football Tournament is celebrating ten years of football, fellowship and impact.
Ten years after the first tournament was held at Lugogo Hockey Grounds in September 2015, the Rotary 5- Aside has evolved into one of Uganda’s most anticipated Rotary sporting and fellowship events, bringing together Rotary clubs, corporate 6 teams, sponsors, football enthusiasts and communities from across the country.
But the story of the Rotary 5-Aside has never been about football alone. It is about what happens after the final whistle.
FROM A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT TO A MOVEMENT FOR SERVICE
Over the past decade, the tournament has supported projects in health, education, water, sanitation and community development.
By 2019, the Rotary 5-Aside had raised more than 73million since inception.
By the 2025 edition, organizers reported cumulative fundraising of approximately UGX 170 million to 180 million since the tournament began.
What began as a Rotary Club of Kiwatule initiative has grown in to a national Rotary Movement.
The tournament has consistently attracted participation from Rotary and Rotaract clubs across Districts 9213 and 9214,with teams travelling from different parts of Uganda, including Gulu, Arianna, Hoima and Kasese.
Corporate Uganda has also played an import6eole in the tournament’s growth.
Over the years, the Rotary 5-Aside has attracted partners and participants including Letshego, Castle Lite, KCB, Dstv, Centenary Bank and others.
The 2024 edition demonstrated how far the tournament has grown, attracting 93 teams including 48 Rotary clubs, 24 Rotaract clubs and 21 Corporate teams and an estimated 2000 spectators. It was also the first edition to be played under floodlights.
“Ten years ago, the Rotary 5-Aside began with an idea to bring people together through football. Today, we are celebrating a platform that has mobilized significant resources for the community service, brought Rotary Rotaract and Corporate Uganda together, and created opportunities for communities to benefit our fellowship. Our 10th edition is a celebration of everyone who has been part of this journey. But it is also a statement about where we are going. We want to play with purpose and create even greater impact.” Rtn. Edward Nkangi, president of the Ritary club Kiwatule remarked.
“The Rotary 5-Aside has demonstrated what is possible when fellowship is connected to purpose. For ten years, this tournament has brought people together, created partnerships and turned sporting participation into resources for communities,” said Rtn. Gerald Obai, District Governor of Rotary District 9213.
Rtn. Malcom Mbamizo, chairman organizing committee also noted, ” As we celebrate the 10th edition, we celebrate the legacy built by thousands of players, clubs, partners, volunteers and supporters. The next decade presents an opportunity to build on this foundation and reach even more communities through service.”.
He emphasized that the registration fee has remained constant for years to enable people from all communities to participate. 250,000 UGX for Rotary clubs and 100,000 UGX for Rotaracts respectively.
