The Ankole Cup 2026 returns bigger and better, organisers of the tournament have confirmed ahead of the fifth edition.
The regional football tournament will take place between June and August, bringing together all 13 districts from the Ankole sub-region.
The tournament has been launched on Monday at Kati Kati in Kampala, attracting a couple of political figures from the Ankole region including Mwine Mpaka, Francis Mwijuka, Peter Agaba and Mercy Kanyesiga among others.
“The fixtures for the competition are already set, with teams to compete in a home-and-away format from the group stages up to the semi-finals,” the tournament’s Chairperson for Media and Mobilisation, Osborn Mushabe, said during the launch.
“We call upon leaders, the private sector and the public to support the tournament, this is a platform for regional development, networking and social cohesion.”
The tournament will be divided into four groups. Group A features Bushenyi, Sheema and Ntungamo, while Group B includes Ibanda, Kazo and Kiruhura. Group C will have Mbarara City, Mbarara District (Kashari), Rwampara and Isingiro, and Group D consists of Buhweju, Mitooma and Rubirizi.
The competition will officially kick off on June 6 at Bushenyi Main Stadium, with hosts Bushenyi facing Sheema in the opening match.
The day will also feature curtain-raiser games involving Members of Parliament against the media, as well as a schools’ derby between St. Kagwa Bushenyi High School and Nganwa High School.
The final is scheduled for August 16 at Kabwohe Stadium in Sheema District.
Organisers also announced the first-ever Ankole Cup dinner, set for May 19 at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The event is aimed at engaging stakeholders and will be attended by key leaders, with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, expected as chief guest.
Several changes have been introduced for the 2026 edition. Each district will register 25 players, with at least 20 required to be locally born, verified through national identification systems.
In the knockout stages, the away goals rule has been scrapped, with tied matches to be decided directly by penalties without extra time.
The hosting of finals will rotate among districts going forward to give more areas a chance to stage the event.
The organisers say the tournament will go beyond football, incorporating initiatives to promote unity, peace and talent development in the region.
Sponsors have already committed support, including a 100 million shilling contribution towards prize money.
Additional backing has come from the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy, which will fund the Ankole Cup dinner under a sports-for-peace initiative.
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