For the fourth year running, the Airtel FUFA Awards left a lasting statement.
Vipers Sports Club and Uganda Cranes star midfielder Moses Waiswa, Uganda Christian University (UCU) LAdy Cardinals FC and Crested Cranes goalkeeper Ruth Aturo were crowned as the best footballers of 2018 during a colourful ceremony held at Speke Resort Munyonyo on Friday night.
Waiswa was named the best in the Male category beating the two other contestants on the final short list – Allan Okello (KCCA , C Uganda U-20 and U-23 team player) as well as Vianne Sekajugo (Onduparaka FC and Uganda Cranes).
‘I thank FUFA for organising such good awards. I have worked hard for it all year round and I am ready for new challenges. I appreciate the effort of my teammates at Vipers and on the National team as well as the nominees and winners ‘ Waiswa noted in his speech.
Waiswa guided Vipers to the 2017/18 Uganda Premier League success, finishing second in the Stanbic FUFA Uganda Cup as well as being a key member on the Uganda Cranes as the team secured a second successive slot at the TOTAL AFCON Finals in 2019.
Aturo beat Crested Cranes captain and Kawempe Muslim midfielder Tracy Jones Akiror as well as Uganda Martyrs High school Lubaga defender Shadia Nankya to the top gong.
The goalkeeper was outstanding in the Crested Cranes team during the CECAFA Women tournament held in Rwanda and the COSAFA championship in South Africa where Uganda was invited as a guest country.
In both tournaments, she was named the best goalkeeper. Domestically, Aturo’s performance between the posts inspired UCU LAdy Cardinals to their first major silverware when they clinched the FUFA Women cup.
FUFA Honorary President Dr Lawrence Mulindwa was named the FUFA Presidential Award winner, a special catergory selected by the FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo.
This award is conferred upon an individual who is deemed by the FUFA President to have contributed to the game of football exceptionally. Previous winners of this award include Paul Ssali, Ali Tomusange and Muhamood “Blatter” Kalema.
‘I am very honoured to receive the FUFA Presidential award. I thank all those who came up with this idea of initiating awards to recognise the efforts of individuals in football. Football is a team sport and together we can achieve much more success with the FIFA 2026 World Cup a top target’ Dr. Mulindwa stated in his speech.
FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, in his key note address, he appreciated the role of all stakeholders in developing the game right from the players, coaches, administrators, referees, fans, sponsors and Government.
He categorically pointed out the value of team work in developing this beautiful game.
‘Football is and will remain a team work sport. Collective responsibility is therefore a key pillar in this development process. I thank the Government for having supported the development of football in particular and all the other key stakeholders’ noted Eng. Magogo
The Guest of Honor Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, also the FUFA 3rd Vice President, state minister for Youth and children’s affairs congratulated all the different winners on the night.
She reiterated the strong value that the Government attaches to football and their endeavors to continue supporting the growth of other games.
‘Government will continue supporting football and other sporting disciplines. The success story for football in the recent past is no mean achievement. Please maintain the good transparency and accountable practices” Hon. Nakiwala remarked.
Other awards:
Ndejje University FC striker Noel Nasasaira, on loan from KCCA FC was named the Airtel FUFA Big League player of the year taking home cash and a 50 Inch Television set courtesy of BetLion. Nasasira was recognised for beingnamd MVP of the FUFA BIg League last season when he led Ndejje Univrsity FC to the top flight.
Nasasira received his trophy from Uganda Cranes head coach Sebastien Desabre and the TV set from BetLion Managing Director Lionel Kabenge.
KCCA FC’s Mustafa Kizza took home the Airtel FUFA most promising player award (playing in the Star Times Uganda Premier League between 20-23 years of age).
KCCA Football Club Manager Mike Mutebi took home the Airtel FUFA Coach of the year, like the script was in 2016 and 2017.
Other winners:
FIFA Referee Brian Miiro Nsubuga (Airtel FUFA referee of the year)
Shamirah Nabukenya (Airtel FUFA Upcoming referee of year)
Meddie Kibirige (Airtel FUFA Beach Soccer player of the year)
Maroons Football Club (Airtel FUFA Fair play of the year-30 yellow cards, 1 red card)
Allan Okello (Airtel FUFA fans’ favourite player of the year based in Uganda)
Uganda Cranes captain Dennis Onyango (fans’ favourite Ugandan player – foreign based)
Khassim Kyazze (fan of the year).
A football Mubiru Joseph was also recognise for winning the 102.1 FUFA fm Sports Quiz ‘Nantamegwa we Mizanyo’ that ran for one month.
The Airtel FUFA Best XI had SC Villa goalkeeper Samson Kirya, Paul Willa (Police), Mustafa Kizza (KCCA), Timothy Denis Awany (KCCA), Henry Katongole (Vipers), Nicholas Kasozi (KCCA), Moses Waiswa (Vipers), Allan Okello (KCCA), Dan Muzeyi Sserunkuma (Vipers), Nelson Senkatuka (Bright Stars) and Viane Sekajugo (Onduparaka).
The award winners received an instant cash reward each of Shs 1M, transferred electronically to their respective accounts. The 2nd placed got 500,000/- while third palce 300,000/-. The total cash prize money was 27 Million shillings.
The Chairman of the Airtel FUFA Awards organising committee Rogers Byamukama thanked all the sponsors for putting the resources together to have an wonderful ceremony.
Byamukama hinted on the significance of these awards as a motivational tool to the players, coaches and fans.
Airtel Uganda were the main flagship sponsors of the awards also televised live on BBS Telefaina. Airtel was represented at the Awards by Remmie Kisakye-Head of Marketing and Communications.
However Airtel MD’s V.G Somasekhar’s recorded message was played to the guests. He congratulated all winners and promised to continue support the awards
Other partners included Bet Lion, Nile Breweries Limited, National Insurance Corporation (NIC), Crown Beverages Limited, Stanbic Bank, BUL Uganda Limited, Eco Bank, Uganda Premier League, Post Bank, BBS TV and 102.1 FUFA f.m.
The event was organsied by Kibo Media.
Roll call of Airtel FUFA MVP Award winners
Female:
2018: Ruth Aturo (UCU Lady Cardinals and Crested Cranes)
2017: Fazilah Ikwaput (BIIK Kazygurtin, Kazakhstan and Crested Cranes)
2016: Hasifah Nassuuna (UCU Lady Cardinals and Crested Cranes)
2015: Sandra Nabweteme (South Western Oklahoma State University, USA and Crested Cranes)
Male:
2018: Moses Waiswa (Vipers and Uganda Cranes)
2017: Muzamiru Mutyaba (KCCA and Uganda Cranes)
2016: Muhammed Shaban (Raja Club, Morocco and Uganda Cranes)
2015: Faruuk Miya (HNK Gorica, Croatia and Uganda Cranes)
