The Rotary 5-Aside Football Tournament will mark its 10th anniversary this year, celebrating a decade in which football has been used to mobilise more than UGX 170 million for community service projects across Uganda.
The Rotary Club of Kiwatule are set to host the 10th edition at Quality Sports Complex due 19 September under the theme, “Play with Purpose. Create Impact.”
The tournament started in September 2015 at Lugogo Hockey Grounds with about 30 teams.
It has since grown into a major Rotary sporting and fellowship event, attracting Rotary and Rotaract clubs, corporate teams, sponsors and football enthusiasts from across the country.
But organisers say its biggest achievement has been its contribution to community development.
From its early editions, prize money was tied to written community project proposals, ensuring that success on the pitch translated into service off it.
During the launch, Rotary Club of Kiwatule President Rtn. Edward Nkangi said the 10th edition is both a celebration of the tournament’s achievements and a commitment to expand its impact.
“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 mobilised significant resources for community service,” Nkangi said.
“Over the years we have raised over Sh700m which has gone a long way to support the communities.
“We need to play with a purpose, we need to create lasting impact in the communities we serve.”
The organisers say that the tourney is now a movement of service and it has been deliberately designed around a simple principle – Competition on the pitch should translate into service in the communities.
Projects supported over the years have focused on health, education, water and sanitation, and broader community development.
Early beneficiaries included Jjanyi Primary School in Bwebajja and Kikandwa Health Centre in Mukono.
In 2019, proceeds supported the development of a maternity ward at Anamwany Health Centre in Amolatar District. The facility has continued to receive support, including equipment.
By 2019, the tournament had raised more than UGX 73 million. Following its return after the COVID-19 interruption, about UGX 30 million was made available through project-linked prize funding in 2022. Cumulative fundraising surpassed UGX 100 million by 2023 and reached an estimated UGX 170 million to UGX 180 million by the 2025 edition.
The tournament has also expanded its national reach. Teams have travelled from areas including Gulu, Arua, Hoima and Kasese, while corporate partners over the years have included Letshego, Castle Lite, KCB, DStv and Centenary Bank.
For the 2026 edition, Centenary Bank, Pride Bank, KCCA and NCBA Bank are among the participating partners.
The scale of participation was evident in 2024, when the tournament attracted 93 teams—48 Rotary clubs, 24 Rotaract clubs and 21 corporate teams—and about 2,000 spectators. That edition was also the first to be played under floodlights.
Rotary District 9213 Governor Rtn. Gerald Obai said the tournament had demonstrated the value of linking fellowship with service.
“This year is very special, it’s our 10th edition, we are hoping to commemorate this edition in a special way.”
“We have already secured old partners and we are looking forward to having new ones as well.
“The legacy of this tournament will not be measured by winners or goals scored but rather by people people we serve as create a lasting impact.”
He added: “We know that rotary is about service, but five-aside gives us an opportunity to fellowship together. And that day we will be having that big fellowship here. We can’t underscore the importance of that.”
“Even as we prepare and participate, it will help us to keep fit and healthy. Additionally, we get to meet for a cause that will help us to help and impact the communities that we come from.”
For organisers, the legacy of the 5-Aside is measured not only by trophies and goals, but also by health facilities supported, schools strengthened, medical outreaches conducted, WASH projects implemented and communities reached.
The 10th edition will also have an exhibition game to commemorate the 10 editions.
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