For some four years between 1972 and 1976, the tournament was not played. So, last Saturday’s final between Kitara FC and NEC FC was the 50th edition.
In the end, Kitara won 1-0 before a huge crowd at Wankulukuku and qualified to play in the Caf Confederation Cup. To commemorate the 50th occasion, I have compiled a few interesting facts about the tournament.
CUP IN ABEYANCE
Started in 1971 by Henry Balamaze Lwanga-led Fufa, Coffee FC became the first team to win the event after beating Simba 2-1. However, the tournament was suspended until 1976, when it was revived by Era Mugisa’s Fufa.
It was Gangama who defeated Coffee to win the second edition. Winners of the Uganda Cup started representing the country in this tournament in 1975 when Caf introduced the Cup Winners Cup.
VEK DOMINANCE
The VEK clubs [SC Villa, Express, and KCCA] have dominated this event. Out of the 49 titles in total, the VEK sides have run away with 29 triumphs, compared to 20 won by other competitors.
Express and KCCA have each won 10 titles, compared to SC Villa, which has nine. Vipers is the only non-VEK side that has more than two titles. The Kitende-based side grabbed three Uganda Cups in a span of eight years.
UPCOUNTRY CLUBS
Mbale-based Gangama, which later changed to Mbale Heroes, was the first upcountry club to win the Uganda Cup title. The Mbale-based side defeated Coffee via penalty shoot-out in 1976.
They also won the 1999 edition under the tutelage of Sam Ssimbwa after defeating second-tier league side Lyantonde 3-0 in a penalty shoot-out.
NO SHOW
In 1977, Nytil FC did not turn up for the final against Simba FC, paving way for the latter to be declared champions. Nytil management and players later alleged they were intimidated by the army side.
In 1979, Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) FC also did not play the final against KCC. The Bankers were so focused to win the league title [which they eventually won] and saw no reason to feature in the Uganda Cup. Therefore, KCC was declared champions of the event.
ABANDONMENT
In 1982, KCC FC contested the final with Jinja-based Nile FC at Nakivubo stadium. However, the Brewers abandoned the game in the second half when referee Geresom Mandu gave a yellow card to KCC defender John Latigo for punching Nile’s Jimmy Musoke. At the time, KCC was leading 1-0 courtesy of Davis Kamoga’s goal.
The organisers handed the title to KCC. In May 2020, Fufa cancelled the 2019/2020 edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time of cancellation, the event was in the second round. Fufa later picked KCCA as the country’s representative in the Caf Confederation Cup.
1984 FINAL
The 1984 final was the first to be played outside Kampala. At the time, Nakivubo was under renovation, and the event was switched to
Bugembe stadium. KCC beat Coffee FC 3-2 courtesy of goals from Frank Kyazze, Phillip Omondi and Godfrey Kateregga.
GUNSHOTS AT NAKIVUBO
The 1988 final was contested between SC Villa and Express at Nakivubo stadium. Unlike the previous events, this particular match saw the deployment of the military police and other sister security agencies inside and outside the stadium.
SC Villa went on to win 3-1 but after the game, soldiers had to shoot in the air to disperse angry Express fans. In the process, many fans got injured as they scampered for dear life.
KAKUNGULU CUP
Between 1992 and 2010, the tournament was renamed Kakungulu Cup. The John Baptist Semanobe-led Fufa made the decision in honour of Prince Badru Kakungulu’s contribution to the development of the game.
GOALS, GOALS…
For the record, the 2021 final yielded the highest number of goals in the history of the tournament. Holders Vipers walloped Jinja-based Bul FC 8-1 goals at Njeru technical centre. Vipers’ Yunus Sentamu became the first player to score four goals in the final.
FOREIGN TACTICIANS
Among the foreign coaches to win the title is British tactician Geoff Hudson, who led SC Villa to two titles (1988 and 1989). Serbian Dragan Popadic helped Express to the 1997 title before his compatriot Micho Sredojevic guided SC Villa to the 2002 title. The last foreign import to do so was Oliveira Roberto, who handed Vipers SC the 2020/2021 title.
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