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David GOMBE
The official launching dinner for the fifth edition of the Ankole Cup will be held on 19th May, 2026 at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The football event is slated for June to August and will see 13 district who make up Ankole region tussle it out from the group stage to the final.
“The preparations for a successful Ankole Cup are going aggressively and we shall have the official launching dinner on Tuesday May, 19th at Hotel Africana. We thank the members of the organising committee, team heads and the different members of parliament, district leaders and the media for the corporation as we aim for a successful football event.” Said Osborne Mushabe, the chairperson of the local organising committee.
The Deputy Speaker for the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon Thomas Tayebwa is expected to grace both the official launching dinner and opening game at Bushenyi Main Stadium.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, 6th June 2026, with two curtain raiser matches before the Bushenyi takes on Sheema in the Group A contest at 4:30 PM.
The school rivalry between St Kaggwa and Nganwa High School will be the first curtain raiser match at 1 PM before Members of Parliament take on the Media at 3Pm.
The 13 districts were divided into four with Bushenyi district, Sheema district and Ntungamo district in Group A while Group B has Kazo district, Ibanda district and Kiruhura district.
Group C has Isingiro district, Rwampara district, Mbarara City and Kashari whereas Group D has Buhweju district, Rubirizi district and Mitooma district.
Forty-three (43) matches will be played in total from the group stages, quarterfinals (two legs), semifinals (two legs) and the final.
The climax of the tournament will happen on Sunday, 16th August 2026 at the Kabwohe Stadium.
Each district is expected to register 25 players. Of these 20 must be born within that exact district, and five players who feature in superior leagues can be used.