Mmamba Kakoboza finally joined the Airtel Bika Tournament’s roll of honour after defeating former champions Nkima 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to claim their maiden football title at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Saturday.
After a tense final ended goalless over 90 minutes, goalkeeper Mathias Kigoonya emerged the hero, saving two penalties to hand Mmamba their first championship and the Shs9m winners’ purse before a packed crowd of Buganda Kingdom faithful.
The victory sparked emotional celebrations among the champions, with captain Duncan Sseninde paying tribute to the collective effort behind the breakthrough triumph.
“This victory means a lot to us all as Mmamba Kakoboza clan. This is our first shield. We worked so hard as a clan after so many years,” Sseninde said after lifting the trophy.
The triumph ended a wait stretching back more than five decades for one of Buganda’s most prominent clans and added a new name to a competition traditionally dominated by established clans. In recent years, Ngabi Nsamba, Mmamba Namakaka, Ngo and Nkima have all lifted the coveted trophy.
For Nkima, champions in 2018, the defeat denied them a second title despite another resilient campaign that saw them eliminate Mutima Musagi and Ngo en route to the final. Mmamba’s route was equally narrow, edging Kasimba and Kkobe by single-goal margins before holding their nerve from the spot in the decider.
Well-deserved
Nicholas Kabonge was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player while Mbogo’s Nelson Ssenkaatuuka finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals. Nkima collected Shs7m as runners-up, while Kkobe secured third place after defeating Ngo 1-0.
Speaking after the final, David Birungi said the tournament continued to demonstrate the power of sport to unite communities while nurturing talent.
“Congratulations to Mmamba Kakoboza for a well-deserved victory. The Bika Tournament continues to celebrate culture, inspire young people and bring communities together. Airtel remains committed to supporting initiatives that preserve heritage while creating opportunities for talent development,” Birungi said.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga, described the tournament as one of the kingdom’s most enduring events.
“Through sport, our clans continue to preserve traditions while giving young people an opportunity to develop discipline, character and talent,” Mayiga said as he congratulated the champions and urged the youth to embrace productive pursuits.
Established in 1950, the Bika Tournament brings together clans through sport while preserving a tradition that has endured for more than seven decades.
AIRTEL BIKA FOOTBALL 2026 FINAL
Champions: Mmamba Kakoboza
Runners-up: Nkima
Third place: Kkobe
Final: Mmamba Kakoboza 0 (4) – 0 (3) Nkima
MVP: Nicholas Kabonge (Mmamba Kakoboza)
Top scorer: Nelson Ssenkaatuuka (Mbogo) – 6 goals
Winners’ prize: Shs9m
Runners-up prize: Shs7m
Third-place prize: Shs3m
Participating teams: 40 clans
Tournament sponsor: Airtel Uganda
Former winners
2026: Mmamba Kakoboza
2025: Ngabi Nsamba
2024: Mmamba Namakaka
2023; Ngo
2022: Ngabi Nsamba
2021: Not held/affected by Covid-19
2020: Not held/affected by Covid-19
2019: Mmamba Namakaka
2018: Nkima
2017: Ngabi Nsamba