The CECAFA Kagame Cup has somehow fallen off the radar in recent years. It no longer generates as much excitement as it once did during the days when the regional club competition truly mattered to those who closely followed East African football. However, one thing is certain: East Africa needs the Kagame Cup now more than ever because it provides regional clubs with vital competitive exposure and serves as a crucial pre-season tournament. The annual competition normally takes place ahead of the start of the domestic leagues and the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup qualifiers, offering top clubs – such as Uganda's Vipers SC, Tanzania's Simba SC, Rwanda's APR FC, among others – the match fitness required to compete better on the African stage. Now, the return of the competition to Kigali this week, for the first time since 2019, should be more than just the revival of a regional football tournament. It is a reminder of a competition that has, for decades, served as East and Central Africa's biggest club showcase. At least, that's how some of us have grown up seeing it. Since its inception, the Kagame Cup has brought together the region's best clubs, created fierce rivalries, produced unforgettable moments and offered teams invaluable preparation ahead of the new season. Over the years, many of the region's football stars first announced themselves on this stage before moving on to bigger leagues across Africa and beyond. Players like Olivier Karekezi, a legendary figure in East African football, used his starring performances for APR FC in the Kagame Cup and with the Amavubi national team to earn a move to Europe in 2005. He spent several years in Sweden playing for clubs such as Helsingborgs IF and Östers IF. Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia) also shone in the regional tournament before signing for Sweden's Djurgårdens IF in 2016. He subsequently played in Spain, Japan – where he became the J1 League MVP and top scorer with Kashiwa Reysol – and later in Qatar with Al-Duhail. Farouk Miya (Vipers SC), another standout talent in regional competitions, earned a move to Standard Liège in Belgium in 2016. He later carved out a solid career in the Turkish Süper Lig with Konyaspor and Çaykur Rizespor. Simon Msuva (Young Africans), after consistently impressing in the Kagame Cup, secured a move to Difaa El Jadida in Morocco before later playing for Wydad Casablanca and in the Saudi Pro League. Yet, as an interested observer, this year's edition is particularly exciting. Clubs such as APR FC, Simba SC, Vipers SC, Gor Mahia, Al Hilal, Rayon Sports and defending champions Singida Black Stars make up one of the strongest line-ups the tournament has assembled in many years. It is difficult to remember the last time the competition attracted such an impressive collection of regional heavyweights. Falling behind the times The calibre of teams taking part alone should make this year's tournament one of the most competitive editions in decades. Yet, while the quality on the pitch continues to improve, the tournament itself risks falling behind the times. The biggest concern is the prize money. The winners will receive US$30,000, the runners-up US$20,000 and the third-placed team US$10,000. Those figures have remained unchanged since President Paul Kagame began sponsoring the tournament in 2002. Over two decades later, football has changed dramatically. Transfer fees, player salaries, travel costs and operational expenses have all risen significantly. Inflation alone has greatly reduced the value of those prize amounts. Today, many participating clubs spend several million dollars annually on their football operations, making a US$30,000 winner's cheque relatively insignificant. For a tournament with the Kagame Cup's history and stature, maintaining the same prize structure for more than 20 years sends the wrong message. That is how I see it, and I find it troubling if the tournament is to regain its past glory and, even more importantly, move forward. You could say that back in 2002, US$30,000 was a substantial amount. In 2026, that figure is virtually insignificant. Increasing the financial rewards would do far more than simply enrich the winners. Believe me, it would make every match more competitive, encourage clubs to field stronger squads and provide greater incentive for teams to prioritise the tournament rather than treating it purely as pre-season preparation. A larger prize fund would also strengthen the tournament's appeal to invited guest clubs from outside the CECAFA region. What do I know about these things, some might ask. But surely, we can all agree that the presence of one or two established clubs from North, West or Southern Africa would raise the quality of competition, attract larger television audiences and create greater commercial value for sponsors and broadcasters alike. No disrespect to Azam TV, but the tournament must grow to attract bigger broadcasters such as SuperSport. That is not to suggest Azam TV doesn't know what it is doing — far from it — but SuperSport has a much wider reach and audience. Beyond prize money, the Kagame Cup needs to become a stronger commercial product. Better marketing, improved branding and expanded television partnerships would significantly increase its profile across the continent. Modern football is as much about visibility as it is about results, and the Kagame Cup has considerable untapped potential in that regard. The tournament should also be positioned as East Africa's answer to the successful regional competitions enjoyed elsewhere on the continent. West African and North African clubs continue to dominate CAF inter-club competitions, while East Africa has struggled to produce consistent CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup contenders. That gap will not close without stronger regional competition. What does this mean? A high-quality Kagame Cup provides clubs with meaningful competitive matches before continental campaigns begin. Coaches can assess new signings under pressure; players gain valuable high-level experience and clubs become better prepared for the demands of CAF football. The stronger the regional competition becomes, the better equipped East African clubs will be to compete against Africa's elite. It's that simple! Or, at least, that's how I see it. Hosting standards have improved over the years but must continue to improve across all member associations. Rwanda's modern facilities, organisational capacity and successful hosting of major football events demonstrate the standard to which the tournament should aspire every year. Professional organisation, quality broadcasting and an excellent fan experience all enhance the credibility of the competition. That should be the organisers' broader objective. The Kagame Cup remains one of Africa's oldest and most respected regional club tournaments, and its history deserves to be matched by ambition. We need to recapture the atmosphere of the old Kagame Cup while raising standards even higher. In my humble opinion, increasing prize money, attracting stronger guest teams, expanding commercial partnerships and improving the tournament's profile would transform the event from a regional competition into one that commands attention across Africa. East African football possesses the talent, passion and fan base to compete with the continent's best. What it now needs is a Kagame Cup that evolves with the modern game and becomes the launching pad for regional clubs to challenge seriously at CAF level. The tournament's proud history is secure, without question. Its future, however, will depend on how boldly its organisers choose to invest in its growth – growth driven by greater resources and even greater ambition.
