Mawokota Crown 2026 Buganda Royal Regatta as Buweekula, Bulemezi Complete Podium
By Kayiira Jackson
Mawokota emerged champions of the 2026 Buganda Royal Regatta after collecting 48 points to win the competition staged at Bunjako Beach in Mpigi District on Saturday.
The victory was particularly significant for Mawokota, which hosted the historic event, as the county finished ahead of Buweekula and Bulemezi, who took second and third place respectively.
Mawokota’s triumph earned them a bull and a cash prize of UGX 1 million, while runners-up Buweekula received a goat and UGX 500,000. Bulemezi, who completed the podium, took home UGX 300,000.
The event attracted revellers from across Buganda, with activities getting underway as early as 7:00am before the races started at 8:00am. Competitors battled in the 1000-metre and 500-metre races, while the Uganda Rowing Beach Sprint Invitational, presented by The North Green School (TNGS), ran concurrently with the Royal Regatta.
In the women’s traditional rowing competition, Mawokota’s She Rowers emerged winners, followed by Busiro Winner of Busiro, while Bunjako Sailors, also representing Mawokota, finished third.
The rowing programme also featured the Uganda Rowing Beach Sprint Invitational, where Elijah Namunyu of Maroons Aqua Sports Club won the CM1x category in a personal best time of 2:32.31.
In the CJW1x category, 14-year-old Grace Kyomuhendo of UPDF Rowing Club emerged victorious in 4:15.97.
The day’s entertainment also included a treasure hunt, with winners taking home motorcycles, smartphones, smart watches, watches and player-version Manchester United and Arsenal jerseys.
The motorcycle prize provided one of the day’s most memorable moments after the winner became overwhelmed with excitement and had to be managed by the Katikkiro’s security team.
The cultural dimension of the regatta was highlighted when Jajja Gabunga performed rituals on the water for the Mamba Clan to undertake its Empingu duties before Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga officially flagged off the races.
Speaking at the event, Regatta Chairman Eng. Ben Misagga thanked the Buganda Kingdom for its support and pledged to make future editions bigger.
Oweek. Salongo Robert Sserwanga also thanked the organising team and promised more activities around the event.
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga presided over the prize-giving ceremony and called upon subjects to continue contributing to the development of Buganda.
Mayiga also highlighted the shared responsibility of his clan and Misagga’s clan, Omutima Omuyanja, in matters concerning the water, similar to the responsibilities undertaken by the Mamba Clan.
He thanked Lwanga Robert of Bunjako Beach for his contribution to the event and urged the people of Buganda to continue working together to develop the Kingdom.
The celebrations were later crowned by a performance from Afrigo Band, with revellers joining in freestyle dancing to bring the colourful day to a close.
All 18 Masazas that participated received a participation fee.
FINAL MASAZA RANKING
- Mawokota — 48 points
- Buweekula
- Bulemezi
- Bululi — 33 points
- Kabula — 32 points
- Kooki — 23 points
- Mawogola — 23 points
- Kyadondo — 20 points
- Kyagwe — 19 points
- Buddu — 17 points
- Butambala — 17 points
- Gomba — 16 points
- Bugerere — 15 points
- Busujju — 13 points
- Busuma — 12 points
- Busiro — 12 points
- Ssese — 11 points
- Ssingo — 3 points