WANKULUKUKU — Mmamba Kakoboza Clan made history on Saturday by winning its first-ever Airtel BIKA Football Tournament title after defeating Nkima Clan 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout following a goalless draw in the final at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
The victory ended a 50-year wait for the prestigious championship and earned Mmamba Kakoboza a cash prize of Shs9 million.
A packed stadium witnessed a closely contested final that brought the curtain down on one of the most competitive editions of the Buganda Kingdom’s flagship inter-clan competition.
Neither side managed to break the deadlock during regulation time despite creating several scoring opportunities, forcing the match into penalties. Goalkeeper Mathias Kigoonya emerged as the hero for Mmamba Kakoboza, producing two crucial saves during the shootout to secure a 4-3 victory. Although he missed his own penalty after striking the crossbar, his heroics between the posts proved decisive.
The triumph capped a remarkable tournament for Mmamba Kakoboza, who reached the final after edging Kasimba Clan in the quarter-finals through an own goal by Lineker Buyondo before defeating Kkobe Clan 1-0 in the semi-finals courtesy of Samuel Nsubuga’s winner.
Nkima Clan, champions in 2018, also fought hard to reach the final. They overcame Mutima Musagi in a dramatic quarter-final penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw and then defeated Ngo Clan 1-0 in the semi-finals through Ivan Junior Katumba’s strike.
The tournament’s knockout stages featured some of the kingdom’s strongest clans, with both finalists navigating difficult paths to the championship match. Their semi-final victories, both by 1-0 margins, highlighted the narrow margins that defined the competition.
Nkima’s defeat saw them settle for second place and a Shs7 million prize, while Kkobe Clan secured third place and Shs3 million after defeating Ngo Clan 1-0 in the bronze-medal playoff through a goal from Samuel Kawuma.
Individual accolades were also handed out to outstanding performers. Nelson Ssenkaatuuka of Mbogo Clan finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals to claim the Golden Boot, while Mmamba Kakoboza’s Nicholas Kabonge was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In the netball category, Nte Clan emerged champions after overcoming Mmamba in the final.
Speaking after the final, Airtel Uganda’s Head of Public Relations and Corporate Communications, David Birungi, congratulated the new champions and praised the tournament for continuing to unite communities through sport.
“Congratulations to Mmamba Kakoboza Clan for this well-deserved victory. This year’s BIKA Tournament has once again demonstrated the power of sport to unite communities, celebrate culture, and nurture talent. Airtel is proud to support this incredible journey and contribute to preserving Buganda’s rich heritage through sports,” Birungi said.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga also hailed the spirit of sportsmanship displayed throughout the competition and urged young people to embrace sports as a tool for personal growth.
“The BIKA Tournament remains a vessel of our heritage, unity and discipline. I congratulate Mmamba Kakoboza Clan on their victory and commend all participating clans for keeping our traditions alive. I encourage young people to engage in sports and avoid destructive habits such as drug abuse and idleness. Together with Airtel Uganda, we celebrate not only a winning team but also a winning culture,” Mayiga said.
This year’s tournament attracted more than 52 clans, including 40 football teams and 26 netball teams, competing in various disciplines such as football, netball, chess, Luganda scrabble, omweso, and ludo.
The 2026 edition kicked off on May 2 at Wankulukuku, with Mmamba Namakaka defeating Ngeye Clan 1-0 in the opening football match.
Established in 1950, the BIKA Sports Tournament remains one of Uganda’s oldest and most celebrated sporting competitions. Organized exclusively among Buganda’s clans, the tournament continues to promote cultural identity, unity, talent development, and community engagement across the kingdom.