Rotary 5-Aside Hits 10, Eyes Bigger Community Impact
By Kayiira Jackson
The Rotary Club of Kiwatule 5-Aside Football Tournament is marking its 10th anniversary with more than UGX170 million mobilised for community projects since the competition was launched in 2015.
The Club has launched its 10th edition on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Quality Sports Complex in Kampala, next to the Bahá’í Temple.
The tournament will take place on September 19 under the theme “Play With Purpose. Create Impact.”
What began as a modest football tournament involving about 30 teams at Lugogo Hockey Grounds in 2015 has grown into a national Rotary sporting and fellowship event, bringing together Rotary and Rotaract clubs, corporate teams, sponsors and football enthusiasts.
But organisers say the tournament’s biggest achievement has been its ability to turn football into a platform for community service.
From its early editions, prize money was linked to community project proposals, creating a direct connection between sporting participation and Rotary’s “Service Above Self” philosophy.
Over the past decade, the tournament has supported projects in health, education, water and sanitation and community development.
Among the beneficiaries have been Jjanyi Primary School in Bwebajja and Kikandwa Health Centre in Mukono. In 2019, proceeds supported the development of a maternity ward at Anamwany Health Centre in Amolatar District, with subsequent editions continuing to support the facility through equipment and other interventions.
The tournament had raised more than UGX73 million by 2019 and surpassed UGX100 million in cumulative mobilisation by 2023. Organisers reported that the figure had grown to between UGX170 million and UGX180 million by 2025.
As preparations for this year’s tournament intensify, NCBA Bank Uganda has presented a UGX5 million cheque to confirm its participation and support for the 10th edition.
The bank joins other partners, including Centenary Bank, Pride Bank and KCCA, while organisers expect additional corporate partners to come on board.
The scale of the tournament has also grown significantly. The 2024 edition attracted 93 teams, including 48 Rotary clubs, 24 Rotaract clubs and 21 corporate teams, as well as an estimated 2,000 spectators.
Speaking about the 10-year journey, Rotary Club of Kiwatule President Rtn. Edward Nkangi said the tournament had evolved into a major platform for fellowship and service.
“Ten years ago, the Rotary 5-Aside began with an idea to bring people together through football. Today, we are celebrating a platform that has mobilised significant resources for community service, brought Rotary, Rotaract and corporate Uganda together, and created opportunities for communities to benefit from our fellowship.”
Nkangi said the anniversary should also mark the beginning of an even more impactful chapter.
“Our 10th edition is a celebration of everyone who has been part of this journey. But it is also a statement about where we are going. We want to play with purpose and create even greater impact.”
Rotary District 9213 Governor Rtn. Gerald Obai said the tournament had shown how sport can be used to strengthen community service.
“The Rotary 5-Aside has demonstrated what is possible when fellowship is connected to purpose. For ten years, this tournament has brought people together, created partnerships and turned sporting participation into resources for communities.”
Rtn. Malcolm added that the next decade should build on the tournament’s achievements.
“As we celebrate the 10th edition, we celebrate a legacy built by thousands of players, clubs, partners, volunteers and supporters. The next decade presents an opportunity to build on this foundation and reach even more communities through service.”