Following the decision to hold the Uganda Cup quarterfinal matches in early April, the path to the final of the 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup has been revealed, with the FUFA Competitions Department confirming that the quarterfinal draw will take place this Thursday morning.
To showcase the commercial growth of the country’s oldest knockout competition, the drawing ceremony will be held at the headquarters of Plascon, one of the tournament’s main sponsors, starting at 9:00 AM.
The 2026 quarterfinalists consist of several powerhouse clubs and one team that has created a surprising story, as seven of the remaining eight clubs are members of the Uganda Premier League (UPL), demonstrating the dominance of top-flight teams this year.
Among the giants are record titleholders SC Villa, current league powerhouse Vipers SC, and historical giants Express FC and KCCA FC.
Additionally, the in-form Kitara FC, along with URA and NEC FC, have secured their places in the elite eight by showing clinical form in previous rounds. However, the main focus of the draw remains Happy Boys Kagaba, a team from the Buganda Regional League (Uganda’s third division). Representing Kassanda, they have drawn significant attention as the only non-Premier League side remaining in the competition.
Their journey to the quarterfinals serves as a testament to the “magic of the cup,” proving that grit and determination can bridge the gap between regional football and the professional leagues.
Consequently, fans and pundits alike are eagerly waiting to see if the “Happy Boys” will be drawn against a team of similar standing or if a daunting challenge awaits them at massive stadiums like St. Mary’s Kitende or the MTN Omondi Stadium. Regarding the rules and schedule, FUFA stated that the quarterfinals will be played as a one-leg knockout, noting that if a match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, it will proceed directly to a penalty shootout without extra time.
The matches are officially scheduled to be held on April 4th and 5th, 2026. Beyond the prestigious trophy, the winner of the Stanbic Uganda Cup earns the right to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup, providing a significant opportunity and income on the continental stage.
Increased sponsorship from partners like Stanbic Bank and Plascon has raised the prize pool, ensuring that quarterfinalists receive their share of the financial rewards. Ultimately, the winning club will not only lift the historic trophy but is also expected to be the recipient of a substantial cash prize.
