Gomba Lions Roar Into ‘Group of Death’ With Eyes on Sixth Masaza Cup Crown

By Kayiira Jackson 

The 2026 Masaza Cup draw has handed five-time champions Gomba Lions one of the toughest paths to glory, but the camp remains confident as they target a record-extending sixth title.

Drawn in the dreaded Masengere group during the official draws held at Bulange on Tuesday, Gomba will battle against former champions Mawokota, Bulemeezi and Busiro, alongside Kyaggwe and Ssese.

The group has already been labelled the “Group of Death” due to the pedigree and recent performances of the teams involved. Mawokota and Bulemeezi are three-time champions each, while Busiro lifted the title in 2022. Kyaggwe also enter the tournament with momentum after finishing runners-up in 2024.

Despite the challenge ahead, Gomba Lions team manager Resty Mbatidde Namugema insists the team is ready for battle.

“We’re in Masengere group, of course it’s a tough group, it has at least three former champions, but again on that list we top, we are the record champions,” she said after the draw.

“We have played 10 finals and won five and our mission is very clear, this year we want to win the sixth trophy, so I ask the Gomba people to rally behind the team.”

Namugema also highlighted the growing role of women in the club’s leadership structure, something she believes gives the team added strength heading into the competition.

“And actually this time our opponents should get worried the more because the team is under the stewardship of strong women. The team chairperson is a woman and the manager is a woman, so this is where the Gomba team strength starts from,” she added.

Gomba endured a disappointing 2025 campaign after failing to progress beyond the group stages, but hopes have been reignited following the return of title-winning coach Felix Ssekabuuza Kawooya. The tactician guided Gomba to their last Masaza Cup triumph in 2021 and is now tasked with restoring the team’s dominance.

The 2026 Masaza Cup tournament will kick off on June 13, with the defending champions opening their title defence against Kyaddondo.

This year’s competition features three groups of six teams each. The top two teams from every group will automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, while the two best third-placed teams will complete the last eight.

Official 2026 Masaza Cup Groups

Bulange Group

Buweekula

Buvuma

Buddu

Kyaddondo

Busujju

Buluuli

Muganzirwazza Group

Ssingo

Mawogola

Butambala

Kabula

Kooki

Bugerere

Masengere Group

Kyaggwe

Busiro

Bulemeezi

Gomba

Ssese

Mawokota

For Gomba Lions, the mission is simple — survive the toughest group in the tournament and march toward a historic sixth Masaza Cup title.