ALLAN OKELLO RETURNS HOME, BUT KIOGA COUNTY SHINES IN DWOG PACO CUP OPENER WITH THRILLING HAT-TRICK

Dwog Paco Cup Kicks Off As Lango Roars In 2nd Edition Uganda Cranes star Allan Okello made an emotional return home as he featured for Erute South constituency in the opening match of the second edition of the Dwog Paco Cup in Lira City. Hundreds of fans turned up to catch a glimpse of the midfielder in action, but defending champions Kioga County stole the spotlight with a dominant 3-nil victory to launch their title defense in style. Ambience The second edition of the Dwog Paco Cup has burst into life in Lira City, drawing hundreds of football fans as 21 constituencies from the Lango sub-region battle for regional supremacy. The opening fixture lived up to the hype, with Uganda Cranes star Allan Okello making his tournament debut for his home constituency, Erute South, although the defending champions, Kioga County, proved too strong. Ambience Long before kickoff, crowds had already filled the venue, all eager to witness the opening match of the Dwog Paco Cup, a tournament that has quickly grown into one of the biggest sporting events in the Lango sub-region. And there was one man everyone had come to see. Uganda Cranes midfielder Allan Okello, fondly known as Uganda's Star Boy, returned home to wear the colours of Erute South for the very first time in the competition. Ambience But football can be very unforgiving, defending champions Kioga County had other plans. After a tense start, Ambrose Kigozi broke the deadlock before returning in the second half with two more clinical strikes to complete a memorable hat-trick and hand Kioga County a convincing three-nil victory. Despite flashes of brilliance from Allan Okello and several attempts to unlock the defense, Erute South failed to find a breakthrough as the champions showed exactly why they remain the team to beat. For Erute South coach Bob Obira, the defeat is only the beginning of the journey. POPs The opening day was not only about football, the tournament grounds turned into a bustling marketplace as vendors, transport operators and local businesses cashed in on the massive crowds. Organisers say the Dwog Paco Cup has evolved beyond sport, becoming a platform for talent identification, community healing, cultural identity and economic empowerment across the Lango sub-region. With twenty-one constituencies now battling for supremacy, fans can expect weeks of fierce competition, unforgettable moments and perhaps the discovery of the region's next football star. Filed 5th & Run 6th July, 2026