Allan Okello and Juliet Nalukenge were crowned as the best Airtel Male and Female respective most valuable players of the year, 2019 during a glamorous awards night held at the Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.
Both players were rewarded by Shs 1M, trophy, medal and drove home with a car each.
Okello, a KCCA FC and Uganda Cranes player was recognized for the outstanding performance during the year that witnessed his club win the 13th StarTimes Uganda Premier League title, beating teammate Mustafa Kizza and Proline’s Bright Anukani.
Okello was also part of the Uganda Cranes team that qualified for the 2020 CHAN finals in Cameroon, scoring crucial goals and making odd assists.
Nalukenge, a forward at Kawempe Muslim Women Football Club was rewarded for the great display in the year where she was top scorer at the 2019 COSAFA U-17 championship in Mauritius, also guiding Uganda to the trophy in the aforementioned tournament.
She was also the top scorer at the 2019 CECAFA Women Senior Challenge Cup in Tanzania where Uganda finished third for the second successive year.
The guest of honour, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni was represented by Prof. Mondo Kagonyera who handled the top performers their rewards, flanked by the Uganda Cranes head coach Johnathan McKinstry, Airtel Uganda MD VG Somasekhar among others.
‘We are pleased to have partnered with FUFA. Tonight we shall recognize personalities who play a core role in the game of football. Airtel will continue to support football in Uganda for the years to come’ Airtel Uganda Managing Director VG Somasekhar said.
The Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA) took home the FUFA Member Association of the Year after beating Buganda Region Football Association and .
Egyptian based Uganda Cranes striker Abdul Lumala was named the FUFA Fans Favourite Foreign based player of the Year.
Other winners:
Acholi Province fans were recognized as the the best fans’ group.
Uganda U-20 captain and SC Villa defender Gavin Kizito Mugeri was the best FUFA Upcoming Talent of the Year.
The FUFA Presidential Award went to former Uganda Cranes captain Magid Musisi (Rest in Peace).
FUFA Best Squad (Team) Award was won by the indomitable Team of 1978, the losing finalists at the AFCON that year in Ghana.
The FUFA Women Football Coach of the Year was Ayub Khalifa as Shafiq Bisaso took the FUFA Male Football Coach of the Year.
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Football Club took the fair-play award, received by the club chairman James Kizza.
The Male Best XI: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, John Revita, Halid Lwaliwa, Allan Kayiwa, Allan Okello, Shafiq Kagimu, Viane Ssekajugo, Mike Mutyaba and Bright Anukani.
Meanwhile, the Female best XI: Daisy Nakazkiro (GK) Naziz Florence, Nankya Shadia, Marion Amangat, Viola Namuddu, Rita Nabbosa, Phiona Nabbumba, Fauzia Najjemba, Mauren Kinavudori, Juliet Nalukenge and Hasifa Nassuna.
List of All Winners:
Male Footballer of the Year: Allan Okello
Female Footballer of the Year: Juliet Nalukenge
FUFA Fans Team of the year: Acholi Province
FUFA Beach Soccer Player of the Year: Sulaiman Ochero
FUFA Member Association of the Year: Uganda Beach Soccer Association (UBSA)
FUFA Fans Favourite Foreign based player of the Year: Abdul Lumala
FUFA Upcoming Talent of the Year: Gavin Kizito Mugweri (SC Villa & Uganda U-20)
FUFA Best Squad (Team): Team of 1978
FUFA Fair Play Award: Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Football Club
FUFA Women Football Coach of the Year: Ayub Khalifa
FUFA Male Football Coach of the Year: Shafiq Bisaso (Former Proline Head Coach)
Male Best XI: Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Paul Willa, Mustafa Kizza, John Revita, Halid Lwaliwa, Allan Kayiwa, Allan Okello, Shafiq Kagimu, Viane Ssekajugo, Mike Mutyaba, Bright Anukani
Female Bext XI: Daisy Nakazkiro (GK), Florence Naziz, Shadia Nankya, Marion Amangat, Viola Namuddu, Rita Nabbosa, Phiona Nabbumba, Fauzia Najjemba, Mauren Kinavudori, Juliet Nalukenge, Nassuna Hasifa
