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David GOMBE
The annual Airtel Bika Match stays a flagship grassroots sports activities actions initiative that unites clans all through Buganda, promoting cultural heritage, social cohesion, and group enchancment formally kicked off on Saturday at Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku .
This 12 months, over 52 clans are participating all through soccer and netball, with 40 clans competing inside the soccer class. Teams will battle by means of the group stage with the best teams in each group changing into a member of the seeded sides who’re already inside the subsequent following their success remaining 12 months.
The opponents builds on remaining 12 months’s dramatic finale, the place Ngabi Nsamba clan edged Ndiga clan in a tense penalty shootout to effectively defend the Bika Bya Baganda Soccer Defend, cementing their standing as reigning champions.
On the netball courts, movement moreover kicked off in a vibrant gala format, with quite a few opening-round fixtures delivering thrilling performances. Nnyonnyi Nnyange secured a 34–30 victory over Olulyo Olulangira, whereas Nte dominated Njovu with a commanding 40–00 win. Ngeye edged Ngabi Nsamba 26–23 in a intently contested match, as Kkobe narrowly defeated Omutima Omusagi 35–32. Mpindi moreover impressed with a strong 40–00 overcome Njaza, highlighting the aggressive spirit all through the opening video video games.
Speaking on the opening match, Airtel Uganda’s Product sales Director, Ali Balunywa, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting community-driven initiatives, “We’re as quickly as as soon as extra proud to be part of this match that brings collectively the center of the Buganda Kingdom its clans. Competitions similar to the Airtel Bika Cup promote unity and togetherness, values we strongly think about in at Airtel. We’re devoted to establishing communities by means of shared experiences like this.”
Balunywa added, “As we’ve seen in earlier years, the Airtel Bika Match is additional than merely soccer. It’s a platform for youthful experience to showcase their skills, with many avid gamers occurring to affix prime golf tools and even symbolize Uganda on the nationwide stage.”
The Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, who officiated the opening match, advisable the continued partnership with Airtel Uganda and highlighted the cultural significance of the match, “We’re grateful for companions like Airtel Uganda who continuously assist our imaginative and prescient. The Bika Match is an embodiment of Buganda’s values of unity, id, and self-discipline. By means of such platforms, we defend our heritage and strengthen our communities.”
Owek. Mayiga known as upon most people to actively participate, “I congratulate instantly’s winners and encourage all Kabaka’s matters and soccer lovers to attend the matches in big numbers as we journey in course of the finals, the place the 2026 Bika champions will lastly be topped.”
Mmamba Namakaka edged Ngeye 1-0 inside the official opener resulting from a Peter Kaye sole strike whereas Musu beat Nte 3-1 inside the completely different recreation on the opening day.
