The FUFA Drum competition continued to deliver excitement and drama on Saturday, 27th December 2025, as provincial pride took centre stage across the country. The latest round of matches produced crucial results that have significantly shaped the race for qualification, with Buganda Province and Acholi Province emerging as the standout performers on the day.
At the heart of the action was Buganda Province’s narrow but vital 1–0 victory over Ankole Province. The encounter was fiercely contested, with both sides showing determination and urgency, but it was Buganda who found the decisive breakthrough. George Kaddu proved to be the hero, scoring the lone goal that separated the two teams and handed Buganda maximum points. The win further strengthened Buganda’s position in Group B, keeping their qualification hopes firmly alive as the competition heads into a decisive phase.
For Ankole Province, however, the result compounded an already difficult campaign. Coming into the match, Ankole were under pressure following their 2–1 defeat to Lango Province last weekend, a loss that left them with little room for recovery. The defeat against Buganda now leaves Ankole with no realistic hope of qualifying from the group, a disappointing outcome for a side that had entered the tournament with high expectations. Despite moments of promise and commitment, Ankole have struggled to convert performances into results, and their FUFA Drum journey appears set to end at the group stage.
Meanwhile, Acholi Province continued their impressive run with a convincing 2–0 victory over Bugisu Province, underlining their growing reputation as one of the most in-form teams in the tournament. Once again, Obedi Brian James was the standout performer, scoring both goals to seal the win. His clinical finishing and composure in front of goal have been central to Acholi’s success, and he is quickly becoming one of the competition’s most talked-about players.
Acholi’s latest victory further cements their dominance in Group A, where they have consistently delivered strong performances. Their form did not begin this weekend; last weekend, Acholi edged West Nile Province 1–0, with Obedi Brian James again finding the back of the net. That result, combined with Saturday’s win, highlights Acholi’s defensive discipline and attacking efficiency qualities that make them serious contenders as the tournament progresses.
The contrast between Acholi’s rise and Ankole’s struggles has been one of the defining narratives of this year’s FUFA Drum. While Acholi continue to grow in confidence and cohesion with every match, Ankole have found themselves unable to recover from early setbacks. The margins at this level are small, and consistency has proven to be the key difference between sides still dreaming of progression and those facing early elimination.
With the group stages nearing their climax, attention now turns to the next set of fixtures scheduled for Sunday. Football fans can look forward to two exciting encounters: Kigezi Province vs Busoga Province, and Tooro Province vs Teso Province. These matches are expected to further shape the qualification picture, with teams battling not only for points but also for pride and momentum.
As the FUFA Drum continues to unite regions and celebrate local talent, the passion from players, officials, and supporters remains evident. Saturday’s results once again demonstrated why the competition holds a special place in Ugandan football where every goal matters, every match tells a story, and provincial pride fuels unforgettable moments. With Buganda pushing forward in Group B and Acholi shining brightly in Group A, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the group phase.
Sunday fixtures - 28th Dec
Kigezi vs Busoga
Tooro vs Teso
