At just 23, Jimmy Kalema has already established himself as one of Uganda's promising young strikers. The Kitara FC forward has won two Masaza Cup titles, claimed the tournament's Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards, and scored the decisive goal that earned Kitara FC its second Stanbic Uganda Cup title.
His journey from the dusty football grounds of Kiboga District to Uganda's top flight illustrates how the Airtel-sponsored Masaza Cup has become a pathway for emerging football talent.
Born to Teopista Birungi and the late Ben Kimuli, Kalema developed his passion for football at an early age. Interestingly, he did not begin his career as a striker. While at a football academy during primary school, he initially played as a left-back before one of his coaches recognised his attacking instincts and converted him into a forward—a decision that would shape his career.
Kalema attended St. Andrews Primary School in Kiboga before joining St. Paul Kyamutwe (Rock Base) and later completed his primary education at St. Balikuddembe Primary School in Kyankwanzi District.
His football career gathered momentum at Kiboga United FC, where he featured in the FUFA Regional League while still a Senior Two student. He scored 11 goals, attracting the attention of Buddo Secondary School, where he completed Senior Three and Senior Four under coach Simon Peter Mugerwa.
A turning point came in 2022 when Mugerwa was appointed head coach of Busiro County for the Masaza Cup. Believing in Kalema's potential, he included the teenager in the squad.
"I looked at this as a big opportunity, and I set myself a target of scoring at least four goals in the tournament. I surpassed my target and scored five goals, contributing to Busiro's first Masaza Cup title in 18 years," Kalema recalls.
Following Busiro's triumph, Kalema joined Mawokota County for the 2023 tournament, helping the team finish third.
In 2024, he moved to Buweekula County, where he scored four goals as the team again secured a third-place finish. His performances earned him another call-up for the 2025 edition.
Determined to make his final Masaza Cup appearance memorable, Kalema enjoyed a remarkable tournament. He inspired Buweekula to its first Masaza Cup title since 2004, scored seven goals to win the Golden Boot, and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
His exploits did not go unnoticed.
Scouts from Kitara FC had been monitoring his progress and soon offered him a two-year contract. Within months of joining the Hoima-based club, Kalema scored the winning goal against Sports Club Villa to secure Kitara FC's second Stanbic Uganda Cup title in three years.
"I played my last games for Buweekula while we were already in talks with Kitara FC. By the time I finished the final against Ssingo, my contract with Kitara FC was almost complete," he says.
Kalema says he chose Kitara over interest from clubs including Express FC and URA FC because he believed it would provide him with more playing time and a better environment for development.
He credits the Masaza Cup for providing the platform that accelerated his career.
"The Masaza Cup has not only given me an opportunity to exhibit my talent, but it has also helped me improve through the guidance from coaches and fellow players. I strongly believe the tournament continues to bring many young players into the spotlight, just like it did for me," he says.
Kalema now hopes to earn a place in the Uganda Cranes squad before eventually securing a move abroad.
His advice to aspiring footballers is to prioritise development over financial rewards.
"My fellow players need to work hard and build their careers first instead of chasing money. You can get money and it gets finished, but without good performance, you cannot earn more of it," he says.
Kalema's story mirrors that of several other footballers whose careers have been shaped by the Masaza Cup.
Among them are Hassan Mubiru, who recently joined Tanzania's Azam FC from Sports Club Villa, as well as Yunus Ssentamu, Nicholas Kabonge, Emma Okwi, and Farouk Miya. Miya was part of the Mawokota team that won the 2012 Masaza Cup before captaining the Uganda Cranes and scoring the goal that secured Uganda's return to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017 after a 39-year absence.
Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro of Buganda, says talent development remains one of the tournament's central objectives.
"The Masaza Cup offers employment, builds unity and brings in revenue. It is a true platform for talent and transformation," Mayiga says.
David Birungi, Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager at Airtel Uganda, says the company's 13-year partnership with the tournament has contributed significantly to football development.
"Over the years Airtel has supported the Masaza Cup, we have seen many talented players progress to the national team and professional clubs abroad. We remain committed to investing in the tournament to continue producing talent that contributes to the growth of Ugandan football," Birungi says.
Launched in 2004, the Masaza Cup has grown into one of Uganda's leading grassroots football competitions, providing a platform for young players to showcase their abilities while promoting cultural identity and unity across Buganda.
For Jimmy Kalema, the tournament was more than just a competition—it was the stage that transformed a talented youngster from Kiboga into one of Uganda's brightest emerging strikers.
