Radio Apac
Kwibale Wanderous FC crowned 2026 Obong Acuda Independence Cup champions
2 November 2026, 4:15 pm
By Ogolo Ian Smith
Kwibale Wanderous FC have been crowned champions of the 2026 Obong Acuda Independence Cup after edging Samaki FC 2–1 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in the final played at Ibuje Primary School in Apac District on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The highly anticipated final attracted hundreds of football fans, community members and local leaders who gathered to witness the climax of the competition organised by Maruzi County MP Hon. Peter Obong Acuda.
The final proved to be a tightly contested encounter, with neither side managing to find the back of the net during normal playing time.
With the score locked at 0–0, the contest went into a penalty shootout, where Kwibale Wanderous FC held their nerve to secure a 2–1 victory over Samaki FC and claim the championship.
Kwibale’s goalkeeper was the standout performer of the afternoon, producing an exceptional display by saving four penalties from Samaki FC. His remarkable performance earned him the Man of the Match accolade and proved decisive in his team’s title-winning campaign.
The competition experienced an approximately three-week delay following disagreements involving the tournament organisers and the DFA Apac, amid reported high demands from the football governing body.
The disagreements forced the organiser to postpone the conclusion of the tournament until November 1, when the final was eventually staged.
Addressing supporters during the final, tournament organiser Hon. Peter Obong Acuda clarified that the competition was non-political and non-partisan, explaining that its main objective was to bring communities together through football.
He also said he had forgiven the DFA Apac despite the disagreements that had contributed to the delay.
Beyond the competition for the trophy, the tournament also delivered support to grassroots football clubs.
Looking ahead, Hon. Peter Obong Acuda pledged UGX 20 million towards next season’s edition of the Independence Cup, promising an even bigger investment in grassroots football.
According to the organiser, all 42 teams that registered for the competition received a football, while the top four finishers walked away with cash prizes and sets of branded jerseys.
The prize distribution was as follows:
- Kwibale Wanderous FC: UGX 1,000,000.
- Samaki FC: UGX 700,000.
- Amun Rock Landers: UGX 500,000.
- Amilo Pro City: UGX 300,000.
Each of the four top-placed teams also received a set of branded jerseys in recognition of their performance.
The initiative was aimed at extending the benefits of the competition beyond the eventual champions by equipping participating teams with basic football equipment to support their activities.
In another significant message, Hon. Peter Obong Acuda called for greater investment in locally based football talent, particularly as Maruzi Constituency prepares for future participation in the Lango Constituency football tournament popularly known as the Dwog Pacu Cup.
Acuda said he does not want Maruzi to depend on hiring players from other areas to compete in the tournament. Instead, he wants the constituency to identify, develop and field its own homegrown footballers.
He also called for the involvement of all parish councillors, irrespective of their political party affiliations, saying grassroots football development should be a collective responsibility that brings leaders and communities together.
The MP further expressed his ambition to see the Dwog Pacu Cup trophy return to Maruzi Constituency, urging local players and leaders to work together towards achieving that goal.