Progress is sighted in the prestigious FUFA Tv Cup tournament this year with the first leg of the Round of 32 wrapped up on Sunday, July 27, having 16 matches played across different regions of Uganda. What began as a weekend of promise quickly turned into a battlefield of school football pride — filled with joy, tension, heartbreak, and hope. From the North through the Central, Eastern, western to the Southern regions, each game brought out the very essence of the tournament: Excellence in Academics and Sports.
Emotions ran high, the action unfolded over two days — Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July — leaving fans with memorable moments and players with everything to fight for in the return leg.
By the numbers
· 24 goals were scored across 16 matches
· 8 matches ended in draws, 5 of which were 1-1 and 3 goalless
· A balance of victories witnessed – 4 home teams and 4 away teams won, underlining the intensity and competitiveness
· St. Charles Lwanga Kasasa produced the biggest win, a stunning 3-0 victory over last year’s runners-up Nganwa High School Kabwohe.
· Kibuli SS continued their unbeaten run and clean sheet record with a narrow but vital 1-0 away win at Kololo SSS
· A total of 8 teams now head into the second leg with an advantage, but no tie is truly settled yet
The opening day (Saturday 26th July 2025) saw 10 games light up school grounds across the country, each with its own storyline.
One of the most intense matchups came from Lira, where Dr. Obote College Boroboro stood tall against reigning champions Nabumali High School, holding them to a 1-1 draw. Nabumali drew first blood through Okiru Silver in the 10th minute, but the resilient Boroboro boys equalized through Awio Francis early in the second half, setting up a high-stakes return leg.
At Lugazi, Jinja SSS’s lone goal by Owino John was enough to earn a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mehta SS, giving the guests a slim but valuable edge.
In Namilyango, the cameras rolled and so did the tackles in a live televised match between Namilyango College and Mengo SS. Despite high expectations and the presence of FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, both sides played out a goalless draw, leaving much to be decided next weekend.
Meanwhile, in the Jinja derby, Kiira College Butiki and Jinja College neutralized each other in a 0-0 affair, a result that left the hosts disappointed and the tie wide open.
Other Saturday highlights included:
· St. Kaggwa Bushenyi High School falling 2-1 at home to Muntuyera High School, who showed composure on the road.
· Mpanga SS narrowly edged Buremba SS with a 1-0 win, taking a crucial first-leg advantage.
· Duhaga SS turned on the style to beat Sir Tito Winyi SS 2-1, though the tie remains finely balanced.
· St. Charles Lwanga Koboko held firm for a 1-0 victory over St. Joseph’s College Ombaci, who will now look for a comeback at home.
· Northern giants Gulu High School and St. Joseph’s Layibi couldn’t find the net in a physical 0-0 draw.
· Bukoyo SS and Mbale SS played to a 1-1 draw, a result that leaves everything to play for in the second leg.
Sunday’s six games provided no less drama, with underdogs rising and big names showing nerves of steel.
Kibuli SS, who were knocked out in this very stage last season, returned with intent. A composed and disciplined performance saw them edge Kololo SS 1-0 away from home, extending their unbeaten and clean sheet streak in this year’s tournament.
The clash between Gombe SS and Kakos SS ended in a 1-1 draw, a fair result that means both sides carry equal pressure into the second leg.
Ngora High School stunned St. Peter’s College Tororo with a 1-0 win on their turf, silencing the home crowd and earning one of the weekend’s biggest away victories.
The performance of the round came from St. Charles Lwanga Kasasa, who blew away last year’s runners-up Nganwa High School Kabwohe with a convincing 3-0 home victory. It was a showcase of clinical finishing, tactical maturity, and home support, putting Kasasa in a commanding position ahead of the return leg.
Meanwhile, St. Balikuddembe SS Mitala Maria and St. Mary’s College Kisubi shared a 1-1 draw, in a well-contested affair where both sides showed promise.
In the final game of the round, Aduku SS and Lango College locked horns in a 1-1 draw, leaving fans eager for what the second leg in Lango will bring.
With the first leg now behind us, all eyes turn to the return leg fixtures scheduled for 1st to 3rd August 2025. For some teams, the mission is to protect a narrow lead; for others, it’s a chance to regroup, rise, and rewrite their story.
The FUFA Tv Cup continues to grow as more than just a football competition. It stands as a powerful platform where young talent flourishes, school pride takes center stage, and communities unite through the beautiful game — all while promoting its core value of Excellence in Academics and Sports.
If the first leg proved anything, it’s that no match is predictable — and the path to the Round of 16 is still wide open. It is noted that away goals rule is not a determinant for winner in the FUFA Tv Cup tournament.
