Fort Portal City County secured their spot in the 2024 Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup final after a hard-fought goalless draw against defending champions Mwenge South at Katoosa Playgrounds. The result, combined with their 2-0 victory in the first leg at Kabura Grounds, was enough to send Fort Portal through to the final, eliminating the reigning champions in the process.

In a match filled with tension and missed opportunities, Mwenge South dominated much of the play, creating several clear-cut chances but failing to convert them into goals. The defending champions needed to overturn a two-goal deficit to advance, but despite their efforts, they couldn’t find the back of the net.

“We played very well and created many chances, but we didn’t score,” said Gilbert Businge, an official from Mwenge South. “Let’s wait for the next tournament.”

Fort Portal’s resilient performance in both legs of the semi-final earned them the distinction of being the first county to qualify for the 2024 Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup final. Their clinical 2-0 win in the first leg provided them with a strong foundation, and despite the pressure from Mwenge South, they held firm to secure their place in the final.

The Tooro Kingdom MTN Amasaza Cup is more than just a football tournament; it’s a celebration of sports, community, and health awareness in the region. Among the activities in these competitions are sports competitions, bicycle racing, and an HIV awareness campaign across all nine counties that make up Tooro Kingdom. These events are part of the build-up to the annual Empango celebration, set to take place on the 12th of September.

The matches have drawn significant attention from local leaders, religious figures, and security officials, including MTN Uganda representatives led by Aggrey Byaruhanga, the regional marketing officer. Hon. Wandera Michael, the Tooro Kingdom Sports Minister, praised MTN Uganda for their continued support of sports in the region, calling for even more investment in future events.

Hon. Alex Ruhunda, the MP for Fort Portal Central, added, “If these competitions continue in Tooro Kingdom, HIV will be history in our region.”

As the excitement builds towards the Empango celebration, Fort Portal City County will be preparing to make history in the final, aiming to cap off their impressive campaign with the ultimate prize.