Rotary 5-Aside marks 10 years with UGX 170M raised

The Rotary 5-Aside football tournament has reached a ten-year milestone, having mobilised between UGX 170 million and UGX 180 million for community service. The Rotary Club of Kiwatule officially launched the 10th edition of the event on Thursday, 13 August 2026, at the Quality Sports Complex in Kampala.

Since its inception in September 2015 at the Lugogo Hockey Grounds, the tournament has grown from a small competition of 30 teams into a national platform. The upcoming 10th edition is scheduled to take place on 19 September 2026 under the theme “Play with purpose, create impact”.

The tournament operates on a model where prize money is tied to written proposals for community projects. This structure has directed funds toward various sectors, including education, health, water, sanitation, and general community development. Notable beneficiaries include Jjanyi Primary School in Bwebajja and Kikandwa Health Centre in Mukono. In 2019, the tournament supported the development of a maternity ward at Anamwany Health Centre in Amolatar District, a facility that has continued to receive equipment through the event.

Fundraising figures have shown steady growth over the decade. By 2019, the tournament had raised more than UGX 73 million. Following the COVID-19 interruption, approximately UGX 30 million was provided for project-linked prizes in 2022, and cumulative totals exceeded UGX 100 million by 2023. The scale of these initiatives is estimated to have reached over one million community members directly or indirectly.

The event attracts participation from Rotary and Rotaract clubs across Districts 9213 and 9214, with teams travelling from regions such as Arua, Gulu, Hoima, and Kasese. The 2024 edition saw 93 teams compete, consisting of 48 Rotary clubs, 24 Rotaract clubs, and 21 corporate teams. Returning partners for the 2026 edition include NCBA Bank, KCCA, Pride Bank, and Centenary Bank.