The talk of town last week across different platforms was the Chaapa League season finale that lit up Mbarara on Saturday, September 20th.
The event, an alumni league of Mbarara High School, pulled massive attention as it marked ten years of bringing together old boys for footall, fun, and celebration.
In the build-up to the big day, the alumni of Mbarara High School kept the spirit alive throughout the week. They drummed up excitement with conversations online, with the hashtag #RoadToTheKraal dominating trends across social media. The buzz captured the anticipation as everyone counted down to the season finale.
The journey back to the kraal, as the alumni fondly call their school, was flagged off by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, in Kampala a day before the finale. The flag-off attracted hundreds of alumni who later embarked on a sojourn to Mbarara.
Then came the matchday. Thousands of old boys of Mbarara High School, from different walks of life and generations, thronged the event. The gathering was a mix of nostalgia, laughter, and brotherhood as they celebrated the Chaapa tradition in grand style.
The Chaapa alumni were joined by fellow participants from the Guinness Old Boys League like Ntaare and SMACK. Even female alumni groups like Mary Hill High School were present. The coming together of different alumni groups added to the camaraderie, making the celebrations bigger and more colorful.
On the pitch, it was a tightly contested quarterfinal with only three goals scored in normal time across the four games. Yobo Yobo beat Bulls Old Tymers 1-0, CHOGM beat Msamatu 1-0, and Dingiswayo beat Burdizo 1-0, while See Far beat Sikukulu 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in normal time.
In the semifinals, Arafat Mumbere's screamer at the death helped Yobo Yobo to knock out Dingiswayo. In the other semifinal, season top scorer Otuke's last-gasp effort helped See Far knock out CHOGM.
In the final, Haruna Lukwago was the standout man. His thunderbolt free kick guided Yobo Yobo to their first title.
It was fireworks and party as the alumni bid goodbye to Chaapa and crowned Yobo Yobo champions.
Speaking after the finale, Kenedy Gumisiriza, the chairperson of the Chaapa League, expressed delight at the milestone:
“Celebrating ten years of the Chaapa League is a huge achievement for us. What started as a small idea to keep the bond of Mbarara High School alumni alive has now grown into one of the biggest alumni leagues in the country. The unity, the energy, and the brotherhood we witnessed this season is proof that Chaapa is more than just football—it’s family,” he said.
Mercy Atwongyeire, the Project Manager Premium Beer at Uganda Breweries Limited, said that Guinness is proud to be associated with the Chaapa League:
“Guinness is about celebrating passion and community, and that’s exactly what the Chaapa League represents. It’s about camaraderie, energy, and shared moments that bring people together. We are honored to have partnered with this incredible journey and look forward to supporting the alumni spirit even more,” she said.
The Chaapa League will return early next year for Season 11.
