By Joshua Kato
Ankole districts’ football tournament was started in 2022. It was initiated by a sports loving Dr Turyamusima Micheal in its inauguration started with 9 districts; Bushenyi, Sheema, Ntungamo, Rubirizi, Buhweju, Ibanda, Mbarara City, Mbarara district and Isingiro.
The tournament started in 2022 with Ntungamu taking On Sheema in a tense game that ended 2-1 in favour of Ntungamo at Kyamate grounds.
Buhweju lifted the first ever Ankole District tournament trophy after beating Bushenyi District 2-1 at Bushenyi stadium.
Second edition 2023 had 10 districts participating after Mitooma decided to be part of the course.
Bushenyi District Hosted Mitooma District in the opening ceremony that year and Bushenyi won 1-0.
Buhweju District played finals with Ntungamo and Hon Francis Mwijukyes Boys (Buhweju) emerged winners with a 2-0 Result at Kakyeka Stadium.
The third edition 2024 had all the Ankole districts (13) participate a major plus for the organizers.
Kazo and Kiruhura joined the course.
The opening game was between Rubirizi District and Ntungamo.
Rubirizi won 2-1 courtesy of Solomon Walusimbi’s brace at Nyakasharu Grounds.
Rubirizi went on to play finals that Ibanda And won 1-0 at Kakyeka Stadium.
Rubiriz’s Trophy Triumph ended the dominance of Buhweju District that had won two in a row.
This year’s edition Started With Sheema beating Bushenyi 3:1 In Kabhowe Stadium
The tournament aims at identifying unexploited talent in the Ankole region.
Micheal Nimusiima the chairperson of the organizing committee expressed optimism that most talented players would be identified and scouted for national leagues.
The tournaments rules entail; three players each district from the Uganda premier league and the FUFA big league then the rest of the 22 players have to be from the lower leagues.
Friday 6th June 2025 results in the fourth edition were; Ibanda 1-1 Isingiro, Mitooma district 1-0 Kiruhura, Kazo 1-0 Mbarara, Bushenyi 1-0 Rwampara.
The tournament resumed on Sunday 8th June with last year’s semifinalist Sheema 0-1 Rwampara district, Mbarara lost to Rubirizi 0-1, Kiruhura 1-1 Ibanda and Isingiro 1-1 Mitooma.
