FT: Bunha 2-1 Budiope
Bunha strengthened their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 MTN Busoga Masaza Cup with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Budiope at Bunya SS Playground in Mayuge on Sunday, October 4.
Bunha scored through Adhebye Raban, who calmly converted a penalty before Vincent Owori struck late to give the hosts all three points.
Budiope scored an early goal through Waiswa Joel, but Bunha held on to claim a crucial home victory.
The result also maintained Bunha's perfect home record in this year's competition. They have played two matches at home and won both, collecting all six available points.
Their first home victory came against Bugabula, whom they defeated 1–0, before Sunday's 2–1 win over Budiope.
Bunha will now host Bukono on Saturday, October 10, in their final group-stage fixture, knowing that victory could be vital in their bid to qualify.
Bukono–Bugabula match suspended
The Bukowe Hill group was also thrown into further uncertainty on Saturday, October 3, when Bukono hosted Bugabula at Ivukula Sub-County Headquarters Playground.
The match was suspended by the referee shortly before half-time following incidents of fan hooliganism.
The result is now subject to a decision by the Tournament Organising Committee (TOC), with either a rematch or an official award of points possible.
That means the current group standings could still change depending on the TOC's ruling.
Bukono are also waiting for a decision on their abandoned Match Day Four fixture against Budiope.
Bukono had been scheduled to travel to Baligeya Memorial Playground on September 26 but failed to reach the venue after their vehicle reportedly developed mechanical problems on the journey.
Bukono subsequently wrote to the TOC requesting a rematch, arguing that unavoidable circumstances prevented them from honouring the fixture.
The two unresolved matches — Budiope vs Bukono and Bukono vs Bugabula — are therefore both still in the hands of the TOC, and both directly affect the qualification race.
Bukowe Hill standings
After five match days, the group currently stands as follows:
- Bugabula — 7 points*
- Bunha — 7 points
- Budiope — 5 points*
- Bukono — 2 points*
However, the table remains provisional because of the two pending TOC decisions.
Qualification race goes down to the wire
With each team having one scheduled group fixture remaining, the Bukowe Hill group has become one of the most tightly contested pools in the competition.
Bugabula, despite sitting top on seven points, cannot afford to relax. They will need to avoid defeat away to Budiope at Baligeya Memorial Playground in their final group game if they want to put themselves in the strongest possible position for qualification.
Bunha are also on seven points and have a huge opportunity against Bukono. A victory, particularly by a healthy margin, would strengthen their position in the final qualification calculations.
A draw or defeat against Bukono would leave Bunha's knockout hopes in serious danger.
For Budiope, currently on five points, the final home game against Bugabula is effectively a must-result encounter. A victory would take them to eight points and put them in a strong position, while a draw could also keep their hopes alive depending on the final calculations and the TOC decisions.
Bukono, meanwhile, remain the outsiders on two points. Their qualification hopes are now heavily dependent not only on winning their final game against Bunha, but also on the outcomes of the pending TOC cases involving their matches against Budiope and Bugabula.
Bukowe Hill results so far
Match Day One
August 22: Bukono 0–0 Budiope
August 23: Bunha 1–0 Bugabula
Match Day Two
August 29: Budiope 1–0 Bunha
September 2: Bugabula 2–0 Bukono
Match Day Three
September 5: Bugabula 0–0 Budiope
September 5: Bukono 0–0 Bunha
Match Day Four
September 26: Budiope vs Bukono — Pending TOC decision
September 27: Bugabula 2–1 Bunha
Match Day Five
October 3: Bukono vs Bugabula — Suspended, pending TOC decision
October 4: Bunha 2–1 Budiope
Final scheduled fixtures
October 10
- Bunha vs Bukono
- Budiope vs Bugabula
With two matches still awaiting official TOC decisions, the Bukowe Hill group is far from settled. Every point, every goal and potentially every TOC ruling could determine which teams advance to the knockout stage.
Weekend Results elsewhere:
Saturday 3rd October
- Bukono vs Bugabula (suspended)
Sunday 4th October
- Bukooli Namayingo 1-0 Bugweri
- Busiki vs Bukooli Bugiri ( suspended)