Pallisa, Uganda: Pallisa County Member of Parliament Ibrahim Ibrahim Aisu has launched the Aisu-Waisu Cup 2026, an annual football tournament aimed at engaging young people, promoting peace, fighting youth unemployment and identifying football talent in Pallisa District.
The tournament was officially launched on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Ngalwe Primary School playgrounds in an event attended by the Pallisa Resident District Commissioner, district leaders, religious leaders, youth groups and football fans from across Pallisa County.
Speaking at the launch, Aisu said sports can provide young people with a productive way to spend their time while helping keep them away from drugs and crime.
“Our youth have energy and talent. But many are idle. The Aisu-Waisu Cup is about giving them a platform to compete, to be seen, and to build a future,” he said.
Aisu said the tournament was designed to bring together young people from different communities and promote unity. “This cup is for all clans, all sub-counties, all religions. When we play together, we develop together,” he said.
The Pallisa Resident District Commissioner, Mr Dhikusooka Majid, welcomed the initiative, saying government alone could not provide employment opportunities for all young people. “This is what we need. Government alone cannot employ all youth. Leaders must create opportunities like this,” he said.
Youth leaders also welcomed the tournament, saying it had already improved the conditions under which local teams train and compete.
Opolot James, captain of Ngalwe FC, said players had previously struggled with inadequate equipment and other basic requirements. “We have been playing with bare feet, mixed jersey, no refreshments. Now we have jerseys, refreshments, medication and a reason to train,” he said.
As part of the launch, Aisu donated 60 footballs, 60 sets of jerseys and Shs5 million in seed money to support the tournament.
The MP pledged to make the competition an annual event and said he would lobby companies to support the tournament in future editions. “Next year we want scouts from Proline, KCCA, and Vipers to come here. Let the world see Pallisa talent,” he said.
The opening match saw Ngalwe FC defeat Victory FC 1-0.
The tournament has attracted 30 teams and is scheduled to run until January 2027, with the final set to be held at Kasodo Primary School playgrounds on January 1, 2027.
The winning team will receive a trophy and Shs3 million, while the second-placed team will receive Shs1.5 million. The third-placed team will take Shs700,000, while the fourth-placed team will receive Shs500,000.
The organisers said the tournament will provide young people with an opportunity to compete, develop their football skills and showcase their talent while strengthening community interaction across Pallisa County.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
