Butiaba Reds sting Nyamitete Simba to win 2025 TotalEnergies Buliisa Mini League title
The hotly contested men’s final, held at Kisiabi Primary School in Kisiabi village, Buliisa town council, ended 1-0 in favor of Butiaba Reds Scorpion in normal time.
By George Niyonzima
Butiaba Reds Scorpion, a male football club, were crowned champions of the 2025 TotalEnergies EP Uganda Buliisa District Football Mini League last evening, following a narrow but decisive victory over Nyamitete Simba football club.
The hotly contested men’s final, held at Kisiabi Primary School in Kisiabi village, Buliisa town council, ended 1-0 in favor of Butiaba Reds Scorpion in normal time.
The victory earned the Butiaba team a substantial prize package, including a trophy, a cash prize of Shs 4 million, golden medals for the players, and 20 sets of playing boots. Runners-up Nyamitete Simba did not leave empty-handed, securing Shs 2 million, silver medals, and 20 sets of playing boots.
Inspac FC Triumphs in Women’s Division
The female football division also concluded with high drama, seeing Inspac Female Football Club emerge as champions over Inspire Queen Female Football Club.
The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in normal time, forcing the final to be settled by a penalty shootout. Inspac FC ultimately proved more clinical, winning the shootout 3-2 to claim the ladies’ title.
The tournament, which successfully concluded yesterday, was fully sponsored by TotalEnergies EP Uganda, the oil company operating the Tilenga Oil project in the districts of Buliisa and Nwoya.
Developing Grassroots Talent
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Godfrey Lukwago, the Social Affairs Manager for TotalEnergies, highlighted the company’s commitment to youth development in its operational areas.
Lukwago noted that the league, which commenced in October, successfully attracted 24 football clubs, including eight dedicated ladies’ teams.
“This tournament was initiated specifically to develop the talent of young people in our area of operation,” Lukwago stated, emphasizing the social investment pillar of the Tilenga project.
Calls for Infrastructure Investment
While celebrating the success of the mini-league, local sports officials stressed the need for further investment to harness the identified talent effectively.
Patrick Kunihira, the chairperson for referees in the Kitara region, stressed the importance of improving sports facilities in the area.
“We appreciate the sponsorship, but we must stress the need for the company to also invest heavily in infrastructure so that these young talents have better facilities to train and compete,” Kunihira appealed.
Echoing this sentiment, Godfrey Muhumuza, the Buliisa District Sports Officer, called for a concerted effort to nurture talent from the ground up.
“I call upon all the oil companies operating here to invest in the development of talent right away from the grassroots level to ensure sustainability and greater success for our youth,” Muhumuza concluded.
